Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Charred Shingles and Versatile Spaces Define a Sustainable Urban Community Hub

Authors:
Marion Richard, Juliette Saloux
Charred Shingles and Versatile Spaces Define a Sustainable Urban Community Hub
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Utilizing charred wooden shingles and expansive glazing, the design integrates sustainable materials to create a community hub that fosters engagement and connectivity.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates a bent A-frame structure to enhance spatial dynamics and visual interest.
02
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for improved weather resistance and a distinctive aesthetic.
03
Features cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency and environmental sustainability.
04
Integrates expansive glass elements to maximize natural light and promote connectivity.
05
Includes green roofs to enhance biodiversity and assist in stormwater management.

The architectural project under analysis embodies a modern design approach that synthesizes functionality, aesthetics, and context. Located in an urban setting, the project serves as a multi-purpose facility designed to facilitate community engagement while providing essential services. The architectural design emphasizes a blend of utility and modernity, ensuring that the space not only meets its intended purpose but also contributes positively to the surrounding urban fabric.

The project employs a pragmatic layout that effectively accommodates various functions, including communal spaces, offices, and recreational areas. The architectural plans detail an open floor plan that promotes a flow of movement throughout the building, encouraging interaction among users. This functional arrangement is reinforced by the incorporation of large glass panels that allow natural light to penetrate deeply into the interior, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

The materials utilized in the construction reflect a commitment to sustainability and durability. Key materials include reinforced concrete, which forms the structural backbone of the project, paired with timber cladding that adds warmth and texture to the façade. Additionally, the use of high-performance glazing enhances energy efficiency while minimizing heat gain. The combination of these materials not only fulfills structural requirements but also embodies the aesthetic philosophy underpinning the design.

A unique aspect of this project lies in its integration with the landscape. The design incorporates green roofs and terraced gardens, which aid in stormwater management and promote biodiversity. This ecological approach contrasts with typical urban developments that often overlook environmental considerations. The deliberate choice to blend built and natural environments highlights a forward-thinking architectural concept that prioritizes sustainability.

The architectural sections illustrate the relationship between different levels and spaces, showcasing how the design navigates the site’s topography. High ceilings in communal areas enhance the sense of openness, while intimate spaces, such as meeting rooms, provide a contrast in scale that caters to varying user needs. The design effectively balances communal and private areas, ensuring that both collaboration and solitude are accommodated.

The project redefines the concept of urban integration by engaging with the immediate context through its public-facing interfaces. The façade features an innovative design that serves both functional and aesthetic purposes, ensuring that the building stands out while harmonizing with its surroundings. This careful consideration of context and materiality sets this project apart from standard architectural designs, as it aims not just to enclose space but to enrich the urban environment.

For those interested in an in-depth exploration of the architectural plans, sections, and the innovative architectural ideas embodied within this project, the detailed project presentation offers valuable insights into its conception and execution. It is encouraged to take a closer look to understand the nuances of this thoughtfully designed architectural endeavor.

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