Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Rammed Earth Walls and Transparent Wood Forming a Community Porch Residence

Author:
Sandhya Thirumohan
Rammed Earth Walls and Transparent Wood Forming a Community Porch Residence

Project in-detail

Utilizing rammed earth walls and transparent wood, the design emphasizes a communal porch that encourages social interaction while addressing sustainable living needs in Tamil Nadu.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth walls provide natural insulation and thermal mass.
02
Transparent wood replaces traditional glass for enhanced energy efficiency.
03
The design includes vertical gardens to promote sustainable living.
04
Water is collected from the roof and directed to a storage tank.
05
The Thinnai serves as a central communal space for social interaction.

The design draws inspiration from the Thinnai, a traditional Tamil porch that historically served as a gathering place in Tamil Nadu, India. It focuses on creating spaces that encourage interaction and connection among residents. The overall concept integrates both indoor and outdoor areas, allowing natural light to enter and fostering a sense of community in the home.

Design Concept

The approach reimagines the Thinnai to offer modern living environments that support engagement. Communal spaces are deliberately placed to enhance social activities and neighborly relations. This arrangement fosters a dynamic atmosphere, where residents can easily connect and share experiences, reflecting the cultural significance of communal living.

Sustainability Measures

Sustainable practices are a cornerstone of the design. The building’s footprint is kept compact, promoting efficient use of space without sacrificing comfort. This offers a solution for contemporary families while addressing the growing need for responsible living arrangements in today’s world.

Material Selection

Rammed earth walls are utilized for their strength and ability to regulate temperature. These walls help keep the home warm in winter and cool in summer, contributing to energy savings. Transparent wood replaces traditional glass to allow light while enhancing thermal performance. Slate roofing and timber in structural elements support both durability and an environmentally friendly approach, ensuring the building will endure over time.

Water Management Feature

A key design detail is the collection of rainwater from the sloped roof. This water management system directs rainwater into a storage tank, combining functionality with sustainability. It provides an effective solution for water conservation in residential settings.

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