Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Bamboo and Earthen Block Structure Enhancing Natural Ventilation in Educational Facility

Bamboo and Earthen Block Structure Enhancing Natural Ventilation in Educational Facility
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Utilizing bamboo and earthen blocks, the facility maximizes natural ventilation and integrates sustainability into its design, serving as a vital educational resource for the community in healthcare training.
5 key facts about this project
01
Designed to integrate rainwater harvesting systems within its roof structure.
02
Utilizes locally sourced bamboo and earthen blocks for enhanced sustainability.
03
Features large openings for cross-ventilation, reducing reliance on mechanical cooling.
04
Classrooms are adaptable, allowing for diverse teaching methodologies.
05
Incorporates regional craftsmanship in architectural ornamentation, reflecting local culture.

## Architectural Design Report: OTI Institute of Medical Science & Technology

### Overview
Located in rural Kete Krachi, north of Accra, Ghana, the OTI Institute of Medical Science & Technology is an educational facility designed to provide advanced training and resources for healthcare professionals in West Africa. The project reflects a commitment to establishing a sustainable and integrated environment that aids in educational growth while enhancing local healthcare infrastructure. The facility's design is influenced by the geographic context and cultural heritage of the area, aiming to create a supportive setting for students and faculty alike.

### Site Layout & Organization
The campus is organized around a central axis, which facilitates accessibility and community interaction. The site plan features distinct programmatic areas, including education administration, student housing, a student clinic, faculty housing, and educational facilities, arranged in a manner that allows for future expansion. The main educational building acts as the focal point, complemented by surrounding green spaces designed to foster social cohesion among users.

### Architectural Elements & Sustainability
The design emphasizes a fluid structure inspired by local landscapes, incorporating natural ventilation and energy-efficient elements. The sweeping roof serves to provide shade while facilitating rainwater harvesting. Key materials include locally-sourced cement for structural integrity, bamboo for sustainable construction, earthen blocks that celebrate local craftsmanship, and metal sheets for longevity, all contributing to a resilient building ethos.

Environmental considerations are integral to the design, featuring natural ventilation strategies through meticulously placed openings and the integration of photovoltaic panels to harness solar energy. Water management is addressed through roof designs that capture rainwater, essential for the region.

The facility promotes an engaging learning atmosphere, with classrooms and laboratories designed for flexibility and varied educational approaches. Common areas, coupled with green courtyards, support both academic discourse and recreational activities, enhancing the educational experience for all occupants. The use of cultural motifs in the architectural finish not only reinforces local identity but also fosters a sense of belonging among the community members.

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