Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

A Clay-Built Communal Space for Creativity and Storytelling

Authors:
Victor(seulmir) Yu, Geonhee Park, Eric Lee, Derek Jeong
A Clay-Built Communal Space for Creativity and Storytelling
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Incorporating clay as a central element, the design fosters communal creativity and storytelling, providing a space where individual narratives converge within an interactive environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Unique focus on clay as both a material and a medium for creativity.
02
Intertwined walls create dynamic spaces for collaborative storytelling.
03
Designed to facilitate interaction between personal narratives and community experiences.
04
Emphasizes historical layers of memory through physical engagement.
05
Encourages users to leave a personal imprint on the structure with clay models.

Umwelt embarks on a thoughtful journey to explore communication and human relationships through its design. Located in a context rich in cultural narratives, it serves as a platform for interaction and dialogue. The concept reflects how each person perceives the world differently, recognized in the term umwelt, while aiming to connect the past and future of communication.

Conceptual Framework

The design is deeply connected to humanity's bond with the earth, symbolizing life's journey from soil to ground. This strong theme highlights the significance of clay as both a functional medium and a symbol of cultural continuity. Throughout history, clay has played a crucial role in construction, pottery, and art, representing the evolving story of human experiences and memories.

Spatial Arrangement

The architecture incorporates a thoughtful arrangement of spaces, featuring two independent walls that interact through positive and negative designs. Openings in these walls allow for creative expression, enabling users to engage with clay models. This setup encourages dialogue, where individual stories can merge and shift through shared experiences in the space.

Experiential Engagement

Umwelt is designed to balance community interaction with opportunities for personal expression. The mix of open and closed areas invites visitors to connect with one another while providing spaces for quiet reflection. This arrangement enhances the understanding of one's own narrative and the narratives of others, deepening the experience of the design.

Thematic Resonance

In addition to human connections, the design seeks to expand its dialogue to broader themes of understanding and empathy. It hints at a communication framework that could resonate with non-human life forms. Notably, the integration of clay elements throughout the space encourages users to leave their mark, symbolizing both personal and collective stories. Each impression becomes part of an ongoing narrative, where the past and future intertwine through the act of creation.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Vancouver Tall Challenge: Building Higher Downtown

`
Competition organisers

The Vancouver Tall Challenge: Building Higher Downtown is an international architecture competition organized by Buildner in collaboration with the City of Vancouver and the University of British Columbia’s School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA). The competition invites architects, designers, planners, and creative thinkers to explore innovative approaches to tall buildings in Vancouver’s downtown core, focusing on sustainability, livability, urban density, public space, and the city’s strong connection to nature. As Vancouver continues to grow, participants are challenged to rethink how vertical development can enhance urban life and contribute to a more vibrant, inclusive, and resilient city identity.

The competition offers a total prize fund of $15,000 CAD, with winning proposals selected by an international jury of architects, planners, academics, and city-building professionals. Key dates include the final registration deadline on October 29, 2026, submission deadline on November 30, 2026, and winners announcement on January 26, 2027. Full competition details, requirements, and registration information are available at architecturecompetitions.com/VancouverTallChallenge

Vancouver Tall Challenge

Design the future of Vancouver’s skyline

Building higher downtown ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 29 October 2026

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
New York High Falls 
Riverfront Market

Design a New Riverfront Market in Rochester, New York

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 7 October 2026
Valli Wine 
Tasting Room

Design a wine tasting room in Italy

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 8 October 2026
The 
Quiet 
Tower

Design an observation tower in Latvia

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 15 October 2026
Vancouver 
Tall Challenge

Design the future of Vancouver’s skyline

Building higher downtown ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 29 October 2026
The Oak 
Moon 
Pavilion

Design a yoga pavilion in Italy

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 5 November 2026
Portugal Long Table 
Restaurant

Design a slow-living restaurant in Portugal

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 9 December 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 28 October 2026
Museum of 
Emotions

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #9 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 12 November 2026
The 
Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Stockholm Furniture Fair Edition #6 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award + Exhibition at Stockholm Furniture Fair
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 3 December 2026
new
Buildner's Unbuilt Award

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a 50,000€ prize

50,000€ Prize / 2027 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 50,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 4 February 2027

Media, partners and clients

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