Global building envelope solutions leader Kingspan has announced its continued partnership with Buildner for the tenth edition of the MICROHOME competition.

This year's competition, which also involves Hapi Homes, offers a substantial €100,000 prize fund and a unique opportunity for one winning design to be constructed as a real-world prototype.

The international competition challenges architects, designers, and creative thinkers to reimagine microhomes, focusing on the development of cutting-edge and sustainable solutions for compact living spaces. This marks the third year of collaboration between Kingspan and Buildner on the MICROHOME initiative.

A significant new element for this year's competition is the involvement of Hapi Homes, a company specialising in tech-driven, sustainable, and customisable homebuilding. Hapi Homes will select one standout project for construction and will award its designer a €15,000 prize.

Entrants to the competition are encouraged to incorporate Kingspan's energy-efficient products into their designs, including PowerPanel, the company's recently launched integrated roofing and photovoltaic solution. Kingspan, Buildner, and Hapi Homes share a commitment to driving innovation within residential architecture, with this partnership aiming to nurture visionary design and translate one concept into a tangible micro-living solution.

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Participants are tasked with designing a modular, self-sufficient, and energy-efficient microhome with a maximum footprint of 25 square metres. Designs should demonstrate innovation, functionality, and sustainability, while also addressing critical real-world issues such as urban density, affordability, and environmental responsibility. The competition is open to both professionals and students.

Key objectives of the competition include:

• Innovation and Functionality: Creating efficient and liveable spaces that blend usability, aesthetics, and technological advancements.

• Sustainability: Integrating environmentally responsible materials, energy-efficient systems, and strategies to minimise environmental impact.

• Affordability: Proposing designs that can make microhomes accessible to a wide range of people.

• Adaptability: Exploring designs that can be adapted for various urban, rural, or off-grid environments.

The total prize fund of €100,000 is structured as follows:

• 1st Prize: €20,000

• 2nd Prize: €10,000

• 3rd Prize: €5,000

• Buildner Student Award: €5,000

• Kingspan Award: €30,000*

• 3 x Kingspan Complement Awards: €5,000 each*

• Hapi Homes Award: €15,000 + Construction*

• 6 Honourable Mentions

*To be eligible for the Kingspan and Hapi Homes awards, participants must incorporate at least one Kingspan product listed in the competition brief within their design.

The special Hapi Homes Award of €15,000 will recognise the project that best aligns with the company's vision for tech-driven, sustainable, and customisable homebuilding. The winning design will then be constructed by Hapi Homes as a real-world microhome prototype.

The competition schedule is as follows:

• Final Registration Deadline: 25th September 2025 (23:59 GMT)

• Submission Deadline: 29th October 2025 (23:59 GMT)

• Winners Announced: 9th December 2025

Further details about the competition and registration can be found on the Buildner website.