Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Upcycled Bamboo Screening and Folded Paper Design for a Micro-Home That Fosters Community Livelihood

Authors:
Mafarah Rahman Asmika , Hossan Murad, Mehnaz Hasan
Upcycled Bamboo Screening and Folded Paper Design for a Micro-Home That Fosters Community Livelihood

Project in-detail

Utilizing recycled wood from shipbreaking and an innovative folded paper structure, this micro-home serves as a sustainable living and working space designed to empower couples in rural Bangladesh.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes folded Panflex paper for structural walls, enhancing affordability and sustainability.
02
Incorporates bamboo screening for natural ventilation, improving indoor air quality.
03
Employs upcycled wood from shipbreaking for both structural and aesthetic elements.
04
Features flexible space design for multifunctional use, accommodating living and working needs.
05
Integrates a personal garden area for micro-agriculture and self-sufficiency.

### Project Overview

The Atelier for the Grassroots Couple is situated in rural Bangladesh, designed to address the pressing housing and economic challenges faced by local families. This micro-home concept functions as both a residence and a workspace, facilitating income generation and community engagement in an area where many live under economic constraints and lack access to stable housing.

### Multifunctional Design

The micro-home comprises dedicated spaces for a bedroom, workspace, kitchen, and bathroom, integrating areas for gardening and small-scale agriculture. This multifunctionality enables residents to engage in activities such as tailoring, food production, and small commerce, fostering economic resilience through in-home enterprises. The layout includes distinct zones: the ground floor is allocated for operational functions, while the first floor provides a private sleeping area, promoting a balance between work and rest essential for the residents' wellbeing.

### Sustainable Material Choices

Sustainability is a cornerstone of this project, prominently through the use of locally-sourced, up-cycled materials. Structural elements are fashioned from folded Panflex paper and recycled wood sourced from shipbreaking yards, ensuring low costs while supporting environmentally responsible building practices. Additionally, IBC water tanks facilitate rainwater harvesting and waste management. Operable bamboo screens enhance ventilation, contributing to both comfort and security in the tropical climate. The estimated construction cost of approximately $2,000 positions this design as an accessible option for low-income families, promoting inclusivity and social equity.

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