Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Radial Homes With Board-Formed Concrete and Sustainable Energy Solutions

Author:
Peter Di salvo
Radial Homes With Board-Formed Concrete and Sustainable Energy Solutions

Project in-detail

Incorporating board-formed concrete and a radial layout, five guest homes harmonize with their vineyard setting while prioritizing sustainability through solar energy, offering a unique retreat experience.
5 key facts about this project
01
Five guest homes are arranged in a radial pattern to enhance both community and privacy.
02
The design references traditional wine production forms, linking to the local agricultural heritage.
03
Each home features an elevated base level, improving accessibility and sightlines.
04
A central tower supports solar panels and a wind turbine for renewable energy use.
05
Construction materials include board-formed concrete, creating a unique aesthetic in the landscape.

Five guest homes are set within a picturesque vineyard, inspired by the form of an antique wine press. The design emphasizes both privacy and community, with each home positioned to take advantage of views over the hills and the vines. A radial layout places shared spaces at the center, encouraging interaction while providing individual outdoor areas for relaxing or enjoying nature.

Conceptual Framework

The design draws from traditional forms related to agriculture and wine production. By referencing the shapes of wine barrels and features of Umbrian farm buildings, the homes connect the current living experience to the rich agricultural heritage of the area. This relationship to local history enhances the overall narrative, linking contemporary living to longstanding traditions.

Spatial Arrangement

The homes are elevated above ground level to improve accessibility and create an inviting approach with both stairs and ramps. Each residence is carefully oriented to promote a sense of community while ensuring secluded outdoor spaces. A tower and wall serve as distinctive architectural features that define the complex, making it a recognizable place dedicated to the five couples who stay there.

Sustainability and Materiality

Sustainability is a key aspect of the design, with solar panels and a wind turbine positioned on the central tower. This focus on renewable energy reflects a growing commitment to environmental responsibility. Materials chosen for construction include board-formed concrete, metal siding, wood siding, stone structures, and wood structures. These selections not only enhance the visual quality but also create a tactile connection to the landscape.

The arrangement of guest homes balances private retreats with shared interactions, enriching the living experience for all occupants. Each structure strives to fulfill its practical purpose while harmonizing with the natural surroundings, resulting in an architectural expression that respects and complements its environment.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

`
Competition organisers

The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

MICROHOME

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy