Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Recycled Cardboard Tubes and Natural Fiber Create an Engaging Community Space

Authors:
Maria jimena Lineros, Julian david Jaime landinez
Recycled Cardboard Tubes and Natural Fiber Create an Engaging Community Space

Project in-detail

The integration of recycled cardboard tubes and a natural fiber facade in a circular form creates a community space that fosters interaction through music and dance.
5 key facts about this project
01
Recycled cardboard tubes provide structural elements and functional support within the space.
02
A natural fiber fabric facade serves as a canvas for urban art, enhancing community identity.
03
The design incorporates solar panels to power lighting and sound systems sustainably.
04
The elevated MDF platform allows for thermal insulation and promotes user interaction.
05
Circular form optimizes acoustic properties, enhancing the auditory experience for users.

The Capsule is situated in Berlin, a city that has undergone a remarkable transformation since the fall of the Berlin Wall in the 1990s. The design creates a space for users to enjoy dance and sensory experiences, reflecting themes of unity and movement with its circular form. Positioned in public areas, it aims to enhance the local cultural environment and facilitate community engagement.

Design Concept

The circular shape of The Capsule represents unity and movement, shaping both its aesthetic and functional roles. This design choice improves sound quality and thermal comfort, allowing users to interact comfortably within the space. Its adaptability to different public environments helps it connect with Berlin's vibrant artistic culture.

Structural Components

Inside, a raised lower MDF platform serves dual functions as a dance area and a thermal buffer against the ground. By elevating this platform, the design fosters a feeling of suspension while protecting users from temperature extremes. This setup encourages movement and interaction, creating a lively atmosphere where users can fully engage with their surroundings.

Technological Integration

Equipped with technical platforms and recycled cardboard tubes, The Capsule incorporates various functional elements. These tubes serve as support for sound, lighting, and fragrance systems, all powered by a solar panel installed on the roof. This focus on sustainable technology highlights a modern approach to design while enhancing user experience.

Artistic Facade

The natural fiber fabric that wraps around The Capsule provides a canvas for urban art, turning the structure into a visual expression of community creativity. This exterior layer not only serves a practical purpose but also contributes to the overall identity of the space. The blend of art and architecture encourages a connection with the local culture, enriching the narrative of Berlin’s evolving heritage.

At its core, the structure invites users to engage with the urban environment, celebrating both movement and artistic expression through a thoughtful design.

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