Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Cascaded Terraces and Natural Light in a Timber Residence by the Lake

Author:
Calin Muresan
Cascaded Terraces and Natural Light in a Timber Residence by the Lake
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
With cascaded terraces that blend seamlessly with the natural landscape, this timber residence maximizes daylight while providing a multifunctional space for relaxation and community activities by Lake Cernostes.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cascaded terraces extend from the lower ground floor, enhancing interaction with the landscape.
02
An indoor patio connects key living areas while promoting natural ventilation.
03
Timber cladding features varying textures, adding depth to the exterior.
04
Glazed walls allow for unobstructed views of Lake Cernostes and maximize daylight.
05
Folding partition walls create adaptable interior spaces for various activities.

Located on the peaceful shores of Lake Cernostes in Latvia, the design beautifully captures the essence of local architecture while adapting to modern needs. The residence is meant for both relaxation and gathering, integrating spaces that encourage social interaction and personal retreat. The concept reflects a harmonious blend of traditional influences with contemporary design principles, promoting a strong connection to the surrounding environment.

Design Layout

The layout includes various levels, each serving a specific purpose. The lower ground floor focuses on recreational activities, featuring terraces that cascade down and workshop areas to engage in crafts. This level also hosts essential facilities like bathrooms and a bar, creating a communal feel where people can enjoy each other’s company while partaking in leisure activities.

Social Spaces

The ground floor emphasizes openness and connection. An indoor patio serves as a central gathering space, linking the kitchen, dining area, and living room. This arrangement promotes interaction among family and guests while also defining different areas for distinct activities. Expansive doors open to a common outdoor terrace, merging inside and outside as one coherent space.

Private Areas

The first floor is raised, providing privacy for its inhabitants. Bedrooms, each with their own bathrooms and dressing areas, offer a secluded escape. This design ensures that residents can enjoy personal space while still having access to stunning views of the lake and trees. The careful placement reinforces a balance between comfort and connection to the natural surroundings.

Material Selection

Materials play a crucial role in the overall feel of the residence. Timber is a significant element, used for structural parts and cladding. This choice connects to local building traditions and adds warmth to the interior. Microcement mist seamless stone is used for flooring, offering a clean and modern finish. In addition, wood fiber insulation improves energy efficiency, supporting the design’s environmental goals. Large glazed walls and structural glass bring ample light into the space and keep visual ties to the outdoors.

Folding portable partition walls with canvas provide versatile options for adapting spaces to suit various activities. This feature reflects a modern approach to living, allowing for functional flexibility without compromising the overall flow of the interiors.

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