Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Sustainable Living with OSB Panels and Ground Screw Foundations in Compact Urban Housing

Authors:
Paul Schuchmann, Eric Schmitz
Sustainable Living with OSB Panels and Ground Screw Foundations in Compact Urban Housing

Project in-detail

Built with OSB panels and utilizing ground screw foundations, this compact urban residence redefines sustainable living by optimizing space and fostering community interaction among young professionals.
5 key facts about this project
01
Built using OSB panels for structural integrity and sustainability.
02
Incorporates ground screw foundations for minimal site disruption and easy relocation.
03
Features modular design that adapts to changing lifestyle needs of residents.
04
Large windows enhance natural light and connect indoor spaces with nature.
05
Includes community-oriented areas fostering social interaction among residents.

### Overview

Located within an evolving urban context, the design proposal for "my.grow.home." addresses contemporary housing needs, particularly for young professional couples confronted with changing lifestyle preferences and environmental considerations. This modular home concept emphasizes flexibility, sustainability, and a commitment to fostering community connections, while optimizing living spaces to adapt to the dynamic structures of modern life.

### Spatial Flexibility and Community Focus

The design's core philosophy centers on the efficient use of space, proposing a targeted living area of 12.5 m² per person. This approach supports scalable and modular layouts, encouraging communal living without compromising individual privacy. The arrangement fosters interactions among residents by integrating shared spaces while allowing for private retreats, reflecting the balance necessary for future-oriented living environments.

### Material Selection and Construction Methodology

Thoughtful material choices underpin the construction strategy, emphasizing sustainability and functional simplicity. Building components include Oriented Strand Board (OSB) and laminated timber for structural elements, cork and mineral wool for insulation, and energy-efficient glass windows optimized for natural light. Solar panels integrated into the roof provide renewable energy. The use of ground screws as foundations facilitates rapid, less invasive assembly and deconstruction, accommodating future flexibility in relocation and design adaptations. Each material was selected for its technical performance and alignment with ecological principles, ensuring a minimal environmental footprint.

The modular design allows for off-site prefabrication, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and simplifying transportation logistics. Assembly focuses on the ease of joining components, aligning with evolving user needs while mitigating construction duration and resource use.

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