Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Vertical Gardens and Teak Wood Define A Floating Living Space By The River

Vertical Gardens and Teak Wood Define A Floating Living Space By The River

Project in-detail

A floating structure with vertical gardens and marine-grade teak wood offers a sustainable and compact living environment along the riverside.
5 key facts about this project
01
Floating foundation utilizing HDPE pipes enhances buoyancy and stability.
02
Vertical gardens integrated into the facade improve air quality and aesthetics.
03
Marine-grade teak wood ensures durability in a riverside environment.
04
U-shaped metal roof design facilitates efficient water drainage and shading.
05
Tempered glass with mirror film maximizes natural light while providing privacy.

### Project Overview
"Mirror by the River" is a contemporary residential design located along a riverside, aiming to establish a functional living space that integrates with its ecological surroundings. The project emphasizes ecological sustainability and creates a habitat that resonates with the natural rhythm of the river. The strategic site selection enhances accessibility to local waterways, ensuring that residents can maintain a connection to the natural landscape.

### Spatial Strategy and User Experience
The design features a compact living unit of approximately 24 square meters, organized into distinct functional zones, including a kitchen and resting area, a bedroom with a working space, and a bathroom with storage. Efficient zoning promotes a balance between functionality and comfort, accommodating diverse lifestyles. Additionally, the inclusion of vertical gardens on the façade enhances the dwelling's visual appeal, while also serving as a mechanism for natural insulation, thereby improving energy efficiency.

### Material Selection and Sustainability
Careful material selection is central to the project’s design philosophy, focusing on durability and ecological relevance. Marine-grade Teak wood is utilized for walls and flooring to enhance longevity in a waterfront setting, while lightweight U-shaped metal sheets create structural integrity for the roofing system. Tempered glass with mirror film allows for natural light while maintaining privacy. The incorporation of stainless steel for the vertical garden components facilitates plant growth, contributing to both aesthetic and environmental benefits. This approach to materials underscores the project’s commitment to sustainability and ecological harmony.

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