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Undulating Roof Design Blending Natural Light and Therapeutic Spaces with Cedar Shingles

Undulating Roof Design Blending Natural Light and Therapeutic Spaces with Cedar Shingles
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The undulating roof structure, crafted from cedar shingles, harmonizes natural light and therapeutic spaces in a circular layout designed to provide a comforting environment for end-of-life care.
5 key facts about this project
01
The circular layout promotes communal interaction while providing private reflection spaces.
02
An undulating roof design mimics natural landscape contours for enhanced integration with the environment.
03
Large glass façades maximize natural light, connecting residents to the surrounding coastal views.
04
Therapeutic spaces are designed to facilitate holistic healing practices within the hospice setting.
05
Native plants are incorporated into the landscaping, creating a calming and restorative atmosphere.

## Overview

Poppy Acres is located in San Diego and serves as a retreat for individuals in the later stages of life. The design aims to create an environment that respects the natural process of dying while fostering an atmosphere that supports both emotional well-being and family engagement. The architectural layout and material choices reflect an intent to enhance tranquility and connection to nature.

## Site Layout and Spatial Organization

The layout of Poppy Acres is characterized by a circular configuration that promotes both community interaction and personal reflection. Key areas are interlinked to facilitate accessibility, while also orienting around picturesque ocean views that enhance the overall experience. Central to this design is an open-air courtyard, which serves as a focal point, inviting interaction and introspection through landscaped gardens and seating areas.

## Materiality and Environmental Integration

The selection of materials for Poppy Acres has been carried out with care to ensure harmony with the natural surroundings. Concrete is utilized for durability in structural elements and pathways, while softer woods are incorporated to create a warm atmosphere. Large glass windows are installed to optimize natural light, providing uninterrupted views of the landscape and reinforcing the indoor-outdoor connection. Additionally, the landscape features native plants, including California poppies, which contribute to a serene environment and symbolize renewal, further integrating the building within its ecological context.

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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
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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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

Open architecture competitions

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    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity

Recurring architecture competitions

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
new
Re:Form - 
New Life 
for Old Spaces

Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

Edition #2 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 2 October 2025
Hospice - 
Home for the 
Terminally ill

Design a safe and supportive space to those struggling with a terminal illness

Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 10,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 9 October 2025
new
The Architect’s 
Stair

Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 15 October 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 16 October 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

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

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025
The Last 
Nuclear Bomb Memorial

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

Edition #6 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 13 November 2025
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Pavilion

Design a concrete pavilion

Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
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Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #7 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025

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