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Sustainable Microhomes Constructed with Cardboard Tubes and Metal Framework

Sustainable Microhomes Constructed with Cardboard Tubes and Metal Framework
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Constructed from lightweight cardboard tubes and reinforced with metal frameworks, these transportable microhomes offer flexible, sustainable living solutions in urban settings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes lightweight cardboard tubes as structural elements for efficiency and reduced transport costs.
02
Features modular design allowing multiple configurations to adapt to occupant needs.
03
Incorporates solar panels for off-grid energy solutions, enhancing sustainability.
04
Emphasizes community integration through shared communal spaces within the layout.
05
Employs bio-based epoxy for waterproofing, ensuring environmental responsibility.

## Architectural Design Report: Matchbox

### Overview
Matchbox is a modular housing solution developed to address urgent needs for affordable and sustainable living spaces, particularly in emergency and crisis situations. Designed for rapid deployment, this project integrates flexible, transportable microhomes that focus on community integration while utilizing eco-friendly materials and construction techniques.

### Modular Structure and Scalability
The Matchbox units consist of prefabricated modules measuring 2.5 x 5 x 1 meters, allowing for a variety of living configurations suitable for different family sizes or communal arrangements. The use of a modular design facilitates efficient assembly and disassembly, promoting adaptability to varying site conditions. The system's scalable nature supports configurations from single units to larger community settings, effectively responding to the needs of occupants in diverse contexts.

### Sustainable Materiality
Key structural components include lightweight and durable cardboard tubes, treated to ensure a lifespan of up to twenty years, and rigid metal frames that provide structural integrity and resilience against environmental conditions. The homes are further enhanced by waterproof bio-based epoxy coatings that contribute to their longevity. Sustainable features such as off-grid solar power systems and rainwater harvesting capabilities reduce reliance on external resources. Thermal efficiency is achieved through multiple layers of insulation made from environmentally friendly materials, ensuring comfort and minimizing ecological impact.

This design approach not only addresses immediate housing needs but also prioritizes sustainability and user responsiveness in its execution.

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Enter an open architecture
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MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
100,000€ Prize / 2026

The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

`
Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

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Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

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