Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Thermal Mass Integration with Recycled Materials in a Community-Focused Facility

Author:
Tibor joseph Sarvari
Thermal Mass Integration with Recycled Materials in a Community-Focused Facility

Project in-detail

Utilizing thermal mass and natural materials, the facility integrates hydroponic systems and community spaces to enhance agricultural practices and foster local engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes hydroponic systems for year-round crop production.
02
Incorporates a biodigester for waste recycling and resource generation.
03
Features large glass panels to enhance natural light and connectivity.
04
Designed to follow the natural topography of the site for minimal disruption.
05
Utilizes locally sourced materials to promote regional sustainability.

The Lake Myvatn Community House is an architectural project designed to serve as a multifunctional space focused on community engagement and sustainable agricultural practices. Located near Lake Myvatn in Iceland, the project integrates local resources and environmental considerations to create a facility that enhances agricultural productivity while fostering social interaction. With a design that merges geometry with local topography, the community house reflects a commitment to sustainability and ecological responsibility.

Sustainable Features and Community Engagement

A key aspect of the Lake Myvatn Community House is its layout, which is strategically designed to optimize functionality and encourage community participation. The building incorporates separate zones for various activities, including agricultural exchange, education, and group dining. By emphasizing flexible space, the design allows for diverse uses that can adapt to the changing needs of the community. Large glass panels provide natural light and foster visual connectivity between interior and exterior spaces, enhancing the overall user experience.

The project employs a range of sustainable materials to minimize its environmental impact. Concrete serves as the primary structural element, offering durability and thermal mass. The use of light steel frames allows for open spaces while maintaining structural integrity. Wood finishes add warmth to the interior, supporting the building's ecological ethos by utilizing locally sourced materials when possible. These decisions contribute to a minimal waste approach and a harmonious relationship with the surrounding landscape.

Innovative Agricultural Integration

The design of the Lake Myvatn Community House includes innovative agricultural systems that support local food production. Glass houses designed for hydroponic as well as traditional farming techniques are integrated into the facility, enabling year-round crop cultivation. This direct connection to agriculture is further enhanced through the inclusion of a biodigester, which processes organic waste into valuable resources for farming. Such features not only promote sustainability but also educate the community on modern agricultural practices.

Accessibility is another crucial consideration in the design of this community house. Pathways are designed to ensure that all members of the community, including those with disabilities, can access every part of the facility. The thoughtful arrangement of spaces, paired with intuitive navigation, encourages participation and engagement from diverse user groups.

The Lake Myvatn Community House exemplifies a modern approach to architecture that responds directly to local climates, resources, and community needs. This project serves as a model for future initiatives aiming to balance ecological responsibility with community-driven designs. For more detailed insights, readers are encouraged to explore the architectural plans, sections, and designs associated with this unique project.

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