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 Shades and Bio-Based Tiles Establishing Harmony in Contemporary Living

Bamboo Shades and Bio-Based Tiles Establishing Harmony in Contemporary Living
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Incorporating bamboo sunshades and bio-based tiles, the design prioritizes sustainability and cultural relevance while providing a modern residential living space in Dubai.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates bamboo sunshades that enhance thermal performance while reflecting traditional design.
02
Utilizes bio-based tiles for sustainable paving, contributing to reduced environmental impact.
03
Features a dedicated Majlis, reinforcing cultural hospitality within a modern context.
04
Integrates green roofs that promote biodiversity and improve indoor air quality.
05
Employs hemp blocks for walls, offering natural insulation and energy efficiency.

### Project Overview

Situated in Dubai, UAE, the design aims to modernize residential spaces while honoring the region's cultural heritage. This project strategically integrates various floor plans and facades that combine traditional elements with contemporary design, focusing on functionality, aesthetic appeal, and environmental sustainability. The design responds to the local climate and social dynamics, fostering a balance between modern living and traditional Arab architectural characteristics.

### Spatial Organization

The layout demonstrates a deliberate separation between private and public spaces, optimizing functionality throughout. Key features of the ground floor include:

- **Living Room**: Designed to facilitate social interactions.
- **Office/Flexible Room**: Capable of serving multiple uses over time.
- **Kitchen and Dining Area**: Centralized for family gatherings, emphasizing connectivity.
- **Majlis**: A traditional space for welcoming guests, reinforcing cultural hospitality.

Vertical connections between levels enhance movement throughout the home, and the integration of courtyards and balconies fosters interaction with the outdoors, enriching the user experience.

### Materiality and Sustainability

A strong emphasis is placed on the selection of sustainable materials:

1. **Bamboo for Sunshade**: Selected for its renewable properties.
2. **Bio-Based Tiles**: Durable with minimal environmental impact, used in paving.
3. **Precast Concrete System**: Enhances construction efficiency while ensuring structural stability.
4. **Hemp Blocks for Walls**: Provide natural insulation and energy efficiency.
5. **Solar Panels**: Incorporated for renewable energy generation.

These materials align with sustainable practices and reflect a commitment to innovative construction methods that support both the environment and modern lifestyle needs.

### Design Features

The project promotes sustainability and biophilic design principles through green roofs and solar energy solutions, fostering a connection with nature that benefits occupant well-being. Cultural elements are thoughtfully integrated, merging modern architectural practices with traditional motifs to establish a dialogue between history and future living. Adaptable spaces cater to contemporary family needs, further enhancing functionality.

Additionally, the design incorporates practical features such as courtyards and terraces that improve natural ventilation and light, while traditional attributes like the Majlis and patterned facades resonate with local identities, cultivating a sense of place. Overall, this project reflects a commitment to health, comfort, and environmental stewardship, addressing contemporary architectural necessities in a rapidly evolving urban landscape.

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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

`
Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

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

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 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

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 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
Early bird registration deadline 15 October 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 16 October 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

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

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025
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
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

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