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 Timber Shingles and Expansive Glass Create a Community-Centric Modular Living Solution

Charred Timber Shingles and Expansive Glass Create a Community-Centric Modular Living Solution
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Utilizing charred timber shingles and expansive glass elements, the design integrates an adaptable modular system that promotes community interaction while providing sustainable living environments.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles to enhance durability and reduce maintenance.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels for improved structural integrity and sustainability.
03
Features a bent A-frame design that optimizes natural light and ventilation.
04
Includes an inner courtyard to foster community interaction among residents.
05
Allows for flexible modular configurations to adapt to changing family needs.

### Architectural Design Report: "Connect" Modular Home System

#### Overview

Located in Dubai, UAE, the "Connect" modular home system is designed to address the evolving residential landscape of the region. The intent is to create adaptable living spaces that meet diverse residential needs while integrating contemporary design principles. The architectural approach is rooted in modularity and sustainability, reflecting both local culture and modern lifestyles.

#### Spatial Configuration

The design features a dual-wing arrangement in an L-shape, forming an inner courtyard that enhances community interaction. This courtyard serves as a central gathering area, promoting social connections while providing separation between public and private domains. The thoughtful organization of walls and windows facilitates this distinction, allowing residents to enjoy personal spaces without sacrificing a sense of connection to their surroundings.

Key aspects of the spatial strategy include:

- **Inner Courtyard**: Provides natural light and ventilation, fostering a communal atmosphere.
- **Defined Zones**: The deliberate layout ensures that private areas are preserved even as social spaces encourage interaction.

#### Modular Design and Materiality

The modular structure employs integrated systems that support flexible living arrangements. Each unit can be tailored to meet the needs of its inhabitants, departing from traditional housing models. Standardized components, including load-bearing modules, streamline the construction process and facilitate deployment across multiple sites.

Material choices are integral to the project's sustainability and performance:

- **Precast Concrete**: Utilized for its strength and efficiency in assembly.
- **Wood Facades**: Introduces warmth to the design and enhances aesthetic diversity.
- **Glass Surfaces**: Maximizes natural lighting, reducing reliance on artificial sources during daylight hours.
- **Thermal Insulation**: Essential for energy efficiency, ensuring comfort while minimizing resource usage.

This combination of materials not only supports durability and low maintenance but also aligns with the climatic demands of Dubai.

#### Design Outcomes

The outcomes of this modular home system highlight key features that support its functionality and user experience:

1. **Adaptability**: The design allows for various configurations and expansions, accommodating changing resident needs.
2. **Energy Efficiency**: Features such as movable sun protection systems are tailored to the region's climate, improving energy performance.
3. **Open Layout**: The spatial flow promotes ease of movement and interaction, while private areas allow for restful retreat.

Additional characteristics underscore its commitment to social sustainability, including community-oriented solutions that foster interactions among residents while respecting individual privacy. Options for future expansion address changing demographics and market demands, reinforcing its relevance in a dynamic urban context.

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 Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
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
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

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
Rome 
Rain Rooms

Design a rain room for Rome

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 14 January 2026
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
Iceland 
Slow Sauna

Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 28 January 2026
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
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

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
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
Advance registration deadline 22 January 2026
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
Final registration deadline 4 February 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