Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Rotational Slices Enhancing Community Space with Sustainable Design

Author:
Walter Hughes
Rotational Slices Enhancing Community Space with Sustainable Design

Project in-detail

Rotational slices afford enhanced natural light and privacy while fostering community engagement in a multifamily residential setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rotational slices optimize natural light and privacy for residents.
02
Two horizontal corridors enhance spatial efficiency and reduce footprint.
03
Community spaces include dedicated rooms for childcare and social activities.
04
Solar energy systems power all common areas, increasing sustainability.
05
Rooftop urban farming fosters community engagement and green practices.

The Eco Slice House in Balboa Park, San Francisco, presents a modern approach to multifamily living. This project features a design that emphasizes modular housing, aiming to create diverse living arrangements while addressing the challenges of urban space. The architecture focuses on functionality and sustainability, making it a valuable addition to the community.

Modular Design and Flexibility

The core concept revolves around a basic modular unit. These units can be combined to form various configurations, allowing for flexibility. This design strategy accommodates different needs, offering everything from small studios to two-bedroom apartments. By enabling these diverse arrangements, the Eco Slice House can adapt to the varying lifestyles of its residents.

Spatial Efficiency

Spatial efficiency plays a significant role in the layout of the Eco Slice House. The design minimizes the space dedicated to hallways and circulation areas, setting it apart from traditional multifamily designs that typically include long corridors. With only two horizontal corridors serving a four-and-a-half-story building, the structure optimizes living space, allowing more room for the individual units, which enhances overall usability.

Community Integration

Community-oriented features are key to the design's success. The Eco Slice House includes spaces for social gatherings, a library, and facilities for childcare. By incorporating these elements, the design encourages residents to interact and engage with each other. The clear entry points improve the sense of arrival, while the combination of retail and residential spaces contributes to the vibrancy of the surrounding streets.

Sustainability Measures

Sustainability is woven into the fabric of the Eco Slice House. Solar energy systems power the common areas, promoting energy efficiency. Additionally, the building includes a rooftop designated for urban farming, providing opportunities for residents to connect with nature and engage in community gardening activities. This commitment to ecological practices enhances the overall quality of life.

The varied façade of the Eco Slice House offers a notable visual identity. Its thoughtful design adds depth and texture, contributing to both aesthetics and functionality while responding to the local climate conditions.

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
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
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