Off-grid modular tiny homes honored in MICROHOME 10 competition

Architectural competition platform Buildner just announced the results of its latest ‘MICROHOME’ competition, an ideas challenge that invited entries to explore new approaches to micro-living. Now in the tenth edition, the MICROHOME brief called on participants to design an off-grid modular microhome for a young professional couple.

“Many of the most compelling entries embedded themselves deeply within their ecosystems — absorbing monsoon rhythms, accommodating sea-level rise, harvesting solar energy, adapting to permafrost, or responding to high-altitude conditions,” organizers said, adding that “this edition saw an increased focus on modularity not only as a method of construction but as a spatial and social framework.”

Below, we have set out the winners of the competition.

1st Prize Winner

Living on Groundwater by Matthew W Wilde and Aleksa Milojevic

Jury comment: Living on Groundwater is a 25 m² microhome designed as part of a broader hydrological system rather than as an isolated dwelling. Set within the agricultural fields of Punjab, India, one of the regions most affected by severe groundwater depletion, the project proposes a low-footprint, hydro-positive housing model in which residents become active agents in groundwater recharge. The compact home sits lightly above the fields, integrating rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and an on-site injection well that returns treated water back to the aquifer. Spatially, the home is organised around a raised timber frame and a permeable façade system that mediates between interior domestic functions and the surrounding landscape. 

2nd Prize Winner

Resilience Is Politics by Alejandro De Jesús Vera Véliz

Jury comment: The CLT Microhome proposes a compact timber dwelling that combines fast assembly with long-term adaptability. The design uses a simple structural grid and modular CLT panels to create a robust envelope that can be erected quickly in post-disaster or low-resource settings. A clear vertical separation places communal living and service spaces on the ground floor and private rooms above. The exposed frame extends beyond the enclosed volume and signals future expansion, allowing the home to grow in predictable stages without major structural change. The construction system relies on repeatable components and efficient joining methods that support low waste, low carbon output, and ease of maintenance. 

3rd Prize Winner

Sumak Wasi by Maria Jose Morocho Rojas, Christian German Medina Romero, and Grace Catalina Gavilanes Palacios

Jury comment: SumakWasi proposes a modular microhome system designed to meet Ecuador’s diverse climates and social conditions through a single adaptable housing model. The project responds to urgent housing deficits by offering a compact 25 m² base unit enhanced by a 7.4 m² extension that supports long term growth. The design uses a simple structural grid, efficient panelized construction, and clear zoning to create flexible interiors that adjust to changing family needs. Climate specificity drives each variant with targeted strategies for the Andes, Amazon, and Pacific regions using fog catchers, rainfall collection, solar harvesting, and shading systems. 

Kingspan Award Winner

Laneway House by Josephine Clare Harris and Luke Cotsford John Austin

Jury comment: This proposal reimagines Sydney’s laneway garages as compact, socially responsive microhomes that maximise a constrained footprint through flexible interiors, material simplicity, and a clear urban narrative. The plan separates the 22 m² unit into two functional zones: a front living-and-cooking area opening directly to the laneway, and a rear zone dedicated to sleeping, bathing, and work, moderated by a curtain partition for adjustable privacy. Integrated joinery concentrates multiple domestic functions—bed, table, lounge, storage—into a single adaptable element that minimises material use while expanding spatial capability. 

Buildner Student Award Winner

Amphibious Living Unit — Mekong Prototype by Joseph Macglashan Iv Hill

Jury comment: This amphibious microhome prototype proposes a circular, modular dwelling designed for communities along the Mekong Basin where seasonal flooding shapes daily life. The unit floats during high water and stabilizes on a simple frame at low water, creating a resilient habitat that adapts to shifting conditions without relying on heavy infrastructure. A breathable bamboo facade, lightweight roof system, and radial interior layout support natural ventilation, daylight, and low-impact construction. 

The Hapi Homes Winner

Northern Domino by Alessandro Ghidini

Jury comment: Northern Domino proposes a modular, context-sensitive microhome system designed for Indigenous communities across rural Canada. The project responds to severe housing deficits by creating a flexible family-oriented model that adapts to varied climates and social structures while respecting traditional land relationships. Its unit is built from a clear kit of nine modules that combine into multiple configurations, allowing families to expand or reconfigure their homes as needs evolve. 

More information on all winning entries can be found on Buildner’s official website.