Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Reed Thatched Community Space with Concrete Foundations

Authors:
Ila Colley, Dhamintha Wickremasinghe
Reed Thatched Community Space with Concrete Foundations

Project in-detail

A reed thatched roof crowns a concrete structure designed to foster community interaction through versatile dining and exhibition spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Reed thatched roof enhances thermal efficiency and ties to local building traditions.
02
Triple-height exhibition halls facilitate visibility and interaction among visitors.
03
Concrete support components provide structural stability while integrating with existing architecture.
04
Communal dining areas promote social engagement and interaction among users.
05
Light wells strategically placed to optimize natural lighting throughout interior spaces.

The design explores the complex relationship between horses and humans, focusing on how this connection informs the creation of functional spaces. Set in a context that encourages interaction, the concept imagines the existing building as a representation of a horse, while proposed extensions act to enhance its overall purpose. The aim is to foster connectivity among users and to create a welcoming environment.

Communication Component

The project uses the idea of a harness as a central theme, particularly its four main components. The communication aspect serves to shape movement within the space, acting like a bridle that directs how people navigate through various areas. This design enables a fluid interaction, where visitors can engage with both the architecture and each other, promoting a lively atmosphere.



Draft Component

The draft component emphasizes communal spaces, where social activities can thrive. Areas are designed for gathering, enhancing opportunities for interaction and collaboration among users. This thoughtful arrangement encourages a sense of community, allowing for shared experiences within the architecture.



Support and Stopping and Backing Component

The support component provides stability while connecting old and new structures cohesively. A prominent concrete element is incorporated into the design, grounding the overall composition. Meanwhile, the stopping and backing component introduces flexibility, allowing the space to adapt to user needs and activities throughout the day.



Regional Influences and Design Details

The use of a reed thatch roof ties the project to local building traditions. This choice not only provides effective insulation but also balances the existing heavier concrete forms with a lighter appearance.

Ample natural light enters the building through well-placed light wells. This feature brightens key areas, creating a warm atmosphere that invites occupants to interact with their surroundings. The design details reflect a deeper understanding of organic forms, reinforcing the connection to the theme of horse anatomy.

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