Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Aerial Walkways and Wood Coating in Sustainable Housing Development

Authors:
Laura Palazzi, Emma Battistin, Angelica Pedrotti
Aerial Walkways and Wood Coating in Sustainable Housing Development
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Parasitic architecture with aerial walkways and wood coating redefines urban housing by creating interconnected residential spaces that prioritize community engagement and sustainable living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Parasitic architecture integrates new residential cells within existing structures.
02
Aerial walkways connect separate living spaces, enhancing accessibility.
03
The design incorporates 160 m² of communal residential space for social interaction.
04
Wood coating is utilized for both aesthetic appeal and energy efficiency.
05
Rainwater collection systems are integrated to promote sustainability.

The design located in London merges residential and communal spaces in a thoughtful way. Positioned within an accessible area, it takes advantage of nearby transportation options such as the Underground, Train, Bus, and Highways. The concept focuses on enhancing connectivity and sustainability, catering to the needs of modern urban living while fostering community engagement.

Land Use Strategy

The land use strategy balances various functions, providing a mix that serves the community. Public green spaces make up 3% of the area, while tertiary sector buildings account for 10%. The space is further divided into paved areas (42%), private residences (14%), public buildings (1%), streets (8%), private green areas (18%), buildings (25%), and nature (7%). This distribution allows for effective use of land while ensuring access to essential resources and recreational opportunities.

Permeability and Connectivity

A key focus of the design is permeability, enhancing movement through the site. By incorporating walking and cycling routes, the design connects residential units to nearby parks. This approach encourages residents to engage in active lifestyles and fosters a sense of community, aligning with goals for urban sustainability.

Architectural Features

Parasitic architecture plays an important role in the design, allowing for the addition of new living spaces. These spaces, described as an "Open Street in the Sky," create new residential cells that respect the existing urban fabric. Alongside this, approximately 160 m² of new residential common space promotes social interaction and community ties. The layout features a multi-level design, distributing diverse functions across the floors and ensuring flexibility to meet resident needs.

Material Considerations

Materials used in the design include wood coating, insulating materials, and disused containers, which are effective for enhancing the overall features of the building. These choices not only contribute to visual quality but also focus on energy efficiency and sustainability. The thoughtful integration of these elements supports the overall concept of a living environment that considers social and ecological aspects.

Concrete blocks with aerial walkways throughout the housing estate create a unique architectural identity. This design choice serves both functional and aesthetic purposes, promoting a sense of community and connectivity among residents.

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 Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
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
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

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
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
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025
new
Iceland 
Slow Sauna

Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 November 2025
Concrete 
Pavilion

Design a concrete pavilion

Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
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

Recurring architecture competitions

new
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
Early bird registration deadline 5 November 2025
The Last 
Nuclear Bomb Memorial

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

Edition #6 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
Final registration deadline 13 November 2025
new
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
Early bird registration deadline 20 November 2025
Hospice - 
Home for the 
Terminally ill

Design a safe and supportive space to those struggling with a terminal illness

Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 10,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 26 November 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 26 November 2025
Museum of 
Emotions

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #7 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
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
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 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
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