Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Balconies and Water Harvesting in a Modular Visitor Hub

Authors:
Facundo Bidegain, José Carlos Machado, Germán Génova
Balconies and Water Harvesting in a Modular Visitor Hub
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
With modular construction and integrated water harvesting systems, the development offers visitors expansive balconies and pathways while fostering engagement with the surrounding landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular structure allows for easy transportation and assembly on-site.
02
Integrated solar energy and water harvesting systems enhance sustainability.
03
Balconies provide panoramic views while inviting interaction with nature.
04
The design effectively adapts pathways to the surrounding topography.
05
Visitor services are centralized to improve accessibility and convenience.

The design of "MIRADOR" introduces a visitor-friendly structure positioned within a natural setting that emphasizes connections and accessibility. The overall concept aims to integrate the building with the landscape, providing a space for guests to interact with the site while respecting the environment. The design includes areas for public services and an observation platform linked by an elevated walking path. This thoughtful approach enhances user experience and promotes a positive relationship with the surrounding landscape.

Building Structure

The layout of "MIRADOR" is divided into several levels, each designed for specific functions. The ground floor features a café and reception area, intended to create a welcoming experience for visitors before they explore the attractions, especially the caves. By placing these amenities at the entrance, the design ensures that guests feel comfortable and oriented as they arrive.

On the first floor, there is a private office that serves as a storage area, along with separate washrooms for public and private use. This arrangement underscores the importance of essential facilities, enhancing the overall efficiency of the building and catering to the practical needs of its users.

Upper Levels and Sustainability

The second floor hosts a fireplace that provides a cozy space for waiting and relaxation. This area prioritizes visitor comfort and offers a respite from exploration. In addition, solar energy systems and water harvesting methods are integrated into the design, showing a commitment to sustainability and responsible resource use. These features contribute to reducing the building’s environmental impact while providing functional benefits.

Viewing Platform and Pathways

The top of the structure includes a viewing platform with several balconies that offer wide-ranging views of the landscape. This space invites visitors to enjoy the natural scenery and emphasizes the connection between the building and its surroundings. The elevated path connects three small caves and promotes exploration of the area, responding effectively to the topographical variations of the site. The modular design allows for adaptability, making it easy to adjust the pathways to fit the unique characteristics of the land.

Wood and metal materials are chosen for their ability to provide strength while supporting the modular design approach. These materials allow for easier assembly and transport, contributing to a unified look that enhances the visitor experience. The design thoughtfully merges functionality with aesthetic considerations, resulting in a space that serves both people and the environment effectively.

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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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 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
MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
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

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 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
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