Kingspan Partners with Buildner for MICROHOME Competition

Shown above and below are examples of past contest winners. The entry above was called "Laneway House". Below is an entry titled "Living on Ground Water".

Dublin, Ireland – Kingspan, a global leader in high-performance insulation and building envelope solutions, has announced its collaboration with Buildner on the eleventh edition of the MICROHOME competition, offering a $115,000 prize fund*.

This global competition invites architects, designers and creative thinkers to redefine the concept of microhomes and develop cutting-edge, sustainable solutions for compact housing. Buildner and Kingspan share a commitment to innovation in residential architecture, and this partnership aims to foster visionary designs and real-world solutions for micro-living.

The Challenge

Participants are tasked with designing a modular, self-sufficient and energy-efficient microhome with a maximum footprint of 269 ft². Designs should push boundaries in innovation, functionality and sustainability while addressing real-world challenges such as urban density, affordability and environmental responsibility. The competition is open to all, including professionals and students.

Key Objectives

•    Innovation and Functionality: Create an efficient, livable space that combines usability, aesthetics and technological advancements.
•    Sustainability: Integrate environmentally responsible materials, energy-efficient systems and strategies for minimal environmental impact.
•    Affordability: Propose designs that make microhomes accessible to diverse populations.
•    Adaptability: Explore designs that can adapt to various urban, rural or off-grid settings.

Prize Fund and Recognition

The $115,000 prize structure is as follows*:

•    1st Prize: $35,000
•    2nd Prize: $10,500
•    3rd Prize: $6,000
•    Buildner Student Award: $10,500
•    Kingspan Award: $35,000**
•    3 x Kingspan Complement Awards: $6,000 each**
•    6 Honorable Mentions

Competition Schedule

•    Final Registration Deadline: September 30, 2026 (6:59 PM EST / 3:59 PM Pacific)
•    Submission Deadline: November 2, 2026 (6:59 PM EST / 3:59 PM Pacific)
•    Winners Announced: December 15, 2026

As part of the Kingspan MICROHOME competition, entrants will have the opportunity to incorporate a range of Kingspan’s products within their designs, including QuadCore insulated metal panels, GreenGuard GG-LG insulation and Solatube skylights.

Since the inception of this competition, entries have been assessed by a highly respected international jury comprising leading architects, designers and industry experts, including Brent Trenga of Kingspan Insulated Panels North America, Flora Lee of MAD Architects, David Basulto of ArchDaily, and Ben van Berkel of UNStudio, alongside senior figures from practices such as Zaha Hadid Architects, MCA, Fast Company and Tiny House Nation. For participants, the competition offers an opportunity to have their work reviewed by individuals at the forefront of contemporary architecture and innovation. 

Last year’s MICROHOME competition showcased the truly global reach of the program, with winning projects spanning multiple continents and cultural contexts. First Prize was awarded to ‘Living on Groundwater’ by a U.S.-based team, a proposal addressing water scarcity through a hydro-positive microhome concept situated in India. The Kingspan Award went to ‘Laneway House’ by an Australian team, reimagining underused urban laneways as compact, socially responsive housing. The Buildner Student Award was awarded to ‘Amphibious Living Unit - Mekong Prototype’, developed by a student from the University of Arkansas, proposing a circular, modular dwelling designed to adapt to seasonal flooding in Southeast Asia.

“As communities around the world face increasingly diverse and complex challenges, the need for thoughtful, innovative housing solutions has never been more important. This competition exists to support that ambition and help bring new ideas for sustainable living to the forefront,” said Sandra Del Bove, Group Head of Innovation at Kingspan and jury participant for this year’s competition. 

Visit the competition site to register:

https://architecturecompetitions.com/microhome2026/

*Prize fund is equivalent to €100,000 and will be paid in accordance with exchange rate at time of payment.
**Participants must use at least one of the Kingspan products listed in the competition brief to be eligible. 

About Kingspan

Founded in 1965, Kingspan is a global leader in high-performance insulation and building envelope solutions, with operations across 273 manufacturing facilities in over 80 countries. Kingspan’s mission is to accelerate a net-zero emissions built environment with people and planet at its heart through its Planet Passionate sustainability program. www.kingspan.com

About Buildner

Buildner is a global platform dedicated to advancing architectural innovation through design competitions, curated publications, and educational content. With a worldwide community of architects, students, and creatives, Buildner promotes open, experimental approaches to the built environment. The platform's mission is to support bold, unbuilt ideas and foster critical dialogue that challenges conventional design thinking. Through a growing network of partners and participants, Buildner helps shape a more inclusive and forward-looking architectural practice. To learn more, visit Buildner.com