Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Reflective Shelters with Two-Way Glass for Interstellar Interaction

Author:
Giselle Coujil
Reflective Shelters with Two-Way Glass for Interstellar Interaction

Project in-detail

The use of two-way glass creates reflective shells that foster self-awareness among visitors, while a series of child guides facilitates authentic cultural exchanges in a space dedicated to human achievements and failures.
5 key facts about this project
01
Children serve as guides for alien visitors, promoting authentic cultural exchange.
02
The Pavilion features a reflective shell constructed of two-way glass.
03
Six pavilions celebrate significant human achievements and failures.
04
An observation courtyard allows alien visitors to engage without direct interaction.
05
Design encourages self-reflection and understanding among diverse species.

The Pavilion of Humanity: First Contact is designed to facilitate interactions between humans and an extraterrestrial species. It sits on Earth and aims to create an environment that celebrates significant achievements in human history while recognizing the value of failures. This project serves as a platform for exploration and understanding.

Pavilions of Success

Six pavilions extend from a central deck, each celebrating key moments in human history. These structures are thematic spaces that highlight important milestones, inviting visitors to engage with humanity's narrative. By addressing both successes and failures, the Pavilion encourages reflection on the complexities of human experiences, helping visitors appreciate the shared history.

Child Guides

Children are designated as guides for alien visitors, a unique choice that emphasizes their unfiltered perspective. They bring innocence and curiosity to their interactions, promoting a direct exchange of ideas between species. In this role, children allow for authentic exploration of human culture, breaking down traditional barriers and fostering understanding.

Reflective Shell

The Pavilion features a reflective shell made of two-way glass. This design serves two purposes: the exterior reflects the environment, while the interior is translucent, allowing visitors to see their own reflections. This element enhances self-awareness among alien guests, creating a dialogue about coexistence and connection through shared experiences within the space.

Bridge and Courtyard

A bridge crosses a courtyard designed for social interaction. This courtyard is a space where human visitors can engage freely while offering a designated observational area for alien guests. The design encourages both community interaction and thoughtful observation, helping to foster understanding and exploration among different cultures.

The Pavilion's design elements come together to create an environment that allows visitors to reflect on humanity. It offers a blend of celebration and examination, making each visit an opportunity for deeper engagement with the human experience.

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