Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Wooden Roofs and Green Spaces in a Community-Focused Urban Development

Authors:
Brandon Meinders, Maria Garcia reyna, Natalie Fox
Wooden Roofs and Green Spaces in a Community-Focused Urban Development

Project in-detail

Constructed with wooden roofs and enhanced by green spaces, the development prioritizes communal living through shared areas and a central boulevard, creating an integrated residential and commercial environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Community spaces designed to encourage social interactions among residents.
02
Central boulevard integrates residential and commercial functions seamlessly.
03
Wooden roofs enhance sustainability and aesthetic appeal.
04
Clusters of units promote a sense of belonging and collaboration.
05
Green roofs contribute to environmental quality and energy efficiency.

“Bridge the Divide” offers a fresh perspective on community living within an urban landscape. The design focuses on creating a sense of belonging for residents through a layout that encourages social connections. By arranging residential units around shared spaces, the project aims to facilitate interactions while also providing comfortable private areas. The incorporation of communal amenities highlights a response to the needs of modern living, allowing residents to engage with their neighbors and their surroundings more effectively.

Shared Spaces and Interaction

A key feature of the design is the emphasis on shared spaces. Clusters of residential units surround communal areas, such as kitchens and dining rooms, designed to promote social engagement. By encouraging casual interactions among residents, the layout fosters a community atmosphere where individuals can share experiences and build relationships. These shared areas act as focal points in the overall design, creating opportunities for residents to connect.

Central Boulevard

The project’s centerpiece is the "Boulevard," a central pathway that serves as the main circulation route. This space connects various parts of the development and encourages pedestrian movement between residential and commercial areas. The boulevard provides a sense of openness and accessibility, contributing to a welcoming environment. It is designed not just for utility but to enhance the social dynamics of the community.

Commercial Integration

Below the residential levels, commercial spaces are intentionally placed along the boulevard. This arrangement allows for a mix of residential and commercial activities, making daily needs more accessible for residents. By integrating shops and services within close reach, the design promotes convenience. This blend of spaces creates a lively atmosphere and supports the idea of a multifunctional community where living and commerce coexist harmoniously.

Design Details and Materiality

The design reflects careful thought in both functionality and aesthetics. It includes features such as wooden roof structures and green roofs, which focus on sustainability and enhance the visual appeal of the buildings. Structural beams provide stability for the arrangement of units, ensuring safety and durability. Key areas like lounges, playrooms, and storage solutions are designed with practicality in mind.

Balconies play an important role, providing outdoor spaces that allow residents to enjoy views of the boulevard. These areas promote a more active lifestyle and encourage interaction in the community, making the environment feel open and inviting to all.

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