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 Tranquil Housing Complex for Poets and Artists

Authors:
Iryna Daumatovich, Alexsey Melehin, Stanislau Mironenka, Nastassia Branovets
A Tranquil Housing Complex for Poets and Artists
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
The residential complex is envisioned as a calm environment that nurtures creative pursuits while maintaining a strong relationship with its natural surroundings. The design balances contemporary comfort with ecological sensitivity, emphasizing sustainability, material honesty, and a close connection to the landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cross-laminated timber panels provide both structural integrity and aesthetic warmth throughout the residence.
02
Charred wooden shingles enhance durability while offering a unique visual texture.
03
The bent A-frame design optimizes indoor spatial flow and promotes natural light.
04
Integrated natural water features contribute to a soothing acoustic environment.
05
Paths through native plant gardens enhance biodiversity and minimize maintenance needs.

The project entitled The Spirit of Poetry represents a carefully designed residential complex located in Latvia, aimed at cultivating a serene environment for individuals engaged in creative pursuits. The architecture is characterized by a seamless integration with the natural landscape, creating a harmonious space that emphasizes tranquility, reflection, and artistic expression.

One of the key functions of this endeavor is to provide flexible living and communal spaces that cater to various needs, including private residences as well as areas for social interaction and creative activity. The design promotes a connection to the outdoors, allowing inhabitants to engage with the surrounding nature while enjoying modern amenities.

The project consists of several notable components. The main building serves multiple functions, encompassing communal areas that include a lounge, kitchen, and exhibition space. These areas facilitate social interaction among residents and visitors, fostering a sense of community. Each housing unit is uniquely designed to accommodate different household sizes, with options for single occupants as well as families, ensuring that the architecture meets diverse living requirements.

Unique Design Approaches

A key feature of this architectural design is its approach to materiality. The use of timber for the facade provides warmth and a connection to the natural environment, while large glass windows maximize natural light and create expansive views of the landscape. The design employs concrete for structural elements, establishing a durable yet understated presence. This careful selection of materials contributes to both the aesthetic and functional aspects of the project, balancing modernity with ecological sensitivity.

Defined Landscape

The integration of landscaping into the architectural design is also significant. The layout includes smooth pathways that guide movement through gardens filled with native plants, limiting maintenance needs and enhancing biodiversity. The incorporation of natural water features aids in environmental sustainability while providing a soothing auditory experience for residents.

Sustainability and Energy Efficiency

Sustainability measures enhance the project’s functionality. Wind generators and solar energy collectors are strategically placed to harness renewable energy sources. Natural ventilation systems are integrated throughout the designs, reducing reliance on mechanical heating and cooling. These features reflect a commitment to creating an energy-efficient environment that aligns with contemporary sustainable architectural practices.

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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
100,000€ Prize / 2026

The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

`
Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 February 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
Rome 
Rain Rooms

Design a rain room for Rome

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 14 January 2026
new
Pavilion Atlas 2026

Design a story of your country

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 21 January 2026
Iceland 
Slow Sauna

Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 28 January 2026
The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

Re:Form - 
New Life 
for Old Spaces

Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

Edition #2 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 3 December 2025
The Home of 
Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 14 January 2026
The Architect’s 
Stair

Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 15 January 2026
The Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 22 January 2026
new
MICROHOME 2026

Design a new concept of small-scale home and share a prize fund of 100,000€

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 11 February 2026
new
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2026 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 February 2026

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

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy