Global competition pushes boundaries of modular housing design

Buildner, in partnership with building materials manufacturer Kingspan, has announced the winners of the latest MICROHOME Kingspan Edition. The global competition invited architects and designers to create an off-grid modular dwelling of no more than 25 square metres, with a prize pool of €100,000 (AUD $163,000). (main image: First prize went to Monsoon Pontoon by Thomas William Ewing, United Kingdom.)

Focusing on compact modular housing, the challenge encouraged solutions that were adaptable, environmentally responsive, and socially inclusive. Submissions addressed issues such as affordability, climate resilience, and spatial efficiency—critical concerns as pressure mounts on housing supply worldwide. There were no fixed site parameters, allowing participants to situate their modular dwellings in urban or rural contexts globally.

The jury included experts from Kingspan, Zaha Hadid Architects, Snøhetta, MAD Architects, and others. Winning entries were recognised for their innovation in off-grid modular housing, use of sustainable materials, and design for specific environmental challenges.

First prize (€40,000 / AUD $65,000) went to Monsoon Pontoon by Thomas William Ewing (UK). Designed for flood-affected communities in Bangladesh, the amphibious modular home combines bamboo, recycled plastic, and passive climate control with rainwater harvesting and solar energy systems. Judges praised its culturally grounded design and practical resilience to monsoon conditions.

Second prize (€20,000 / AUD $32,600) was awarded to Microhome ‘Jenga’ by Yi Yang Chai (Malaysia). The project proposes a modular retrofit system for abandoned urban towers, transforming them into vertical communities of prefabricated modular housing units. The concept leverages low-carbon construction and urban regeneration to create scalable and flexible housing infrastructure.

Third prize (€10,000 / AUD $16,300) went to From the Ashes, by a team based in Italy. This wildfire-resilient modular dwelling integrates cross-laminated timber, fire-resistant cladding, and off-grid systems to support post-disaster reconstruction and sustainable community living.

Additional awards recognised further innovation in modular housing:

• First Aid Kit (Poland) received the Student Award for a prefabricated, rapidly deployable shelter system that supports displaced populations.
• Taking the Country’s Side (France) received the Sustainability Award, combining low-impact modular dwellings with small-scale agricultural production.
• Floaterra (USA) won the Kingspan Award for a flexible, floating modular housing system designed to adapt to rising sea levels and climate migration.

Entries demonstrated how modular construction can enable small-footprint homes that are adaptable, climate-aware, and replicable.

Registrations are now open for the tenth edition of the MICROHOME competition, again offering €100,000 (AUD $163,000) in prizes and the opportunity to have designs constructed.

Source Archdaily