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 Wood Accents and Modular Adaptability in Sustainable Urban Living

Author:
Quy Phu Nguyen
Charred Wood Accents and Modular Adaptability in Sustainable Urban Living

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wood accents and polycarbonate panels, this modular design fosters adaptable urban living while encouraging community interaction among residents.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and aesthetic appeal.
02
Incorporates polycarbonate panels to optimize natural light while ensuring insulation.
03
Features modular units that can be reconfigured according to community needs.
04
Integrates communal outdoor spaces designed for social interaction and gardening.
05
Adopts seasonal design strategies for climate adaptability throughout the year.

The architectural project "Social Puzzle" represents a contemporary approach to community-oriented housing in an urban setting. It integrates flexible living solutions within a modular design, allowing for both individual privacy and communal engagement. This project aims to address the dynamic needs of residents through thoughtfully constructed spaces that can adjust to various functions as required.

The primary function of the "Social Puzzle" project is to create a living environment that supports both private and social interactions among residents. This accommodation is structured around several components, allowing for adaptability. Each living space is designed to be multifunctional, with flexibility inherent in its layout and configuration.

The use of materials is essential in this design, emphasizing sustainability and efficiency. Polycarbonate panels, wooden structures, insulated panels, waterproof floor panels, and photovoltaic panels are carefully selected to enhance the project’s performance. These materials contribute to thermal comfort, energy efficiency, and durability, all fundamental to contemporary architectural practices.

Dynamic Adaptability and Community Integration

What sets the "Social Puzzle" apart is its emphasis on adaptability. Each residential unit is designed to function independently while fostering communal living through shared spaces. This modular approach allows for interconnectivity among units, enabling them to expand or contract based on the preferences and needs of the residents. The project incorporates seasonal design strategies, ensuring comfort throughout the year. Warm winter strategies involve insulated barriers to retain heat, while cool summer strategies leverage airflow to reduce reliance on mechanical cooling.

The integration of communal areas enhances community engagement. Outdoor spaces are designed for gardening, social gatherings, and leisure, facilitating interaction among residents. This encourages a sense of belonging and provides opportunities for collaboration within the community.

Functional Layout and Practical Design Elements

The architectural layout of the "Social Puzzle" consists of various defined spaces that maximize utility while maintaining aesthetic appeal. Key features include a flexible room capable of serving multiple purposes, a compact kitchen, essential bathroom facilities, and a well-positioned bedroom ensuring privacy. The architectural plans reflect a thoughtful arrangement that prioritizes the ease of movement and access while allowing for personal modifications.

Each space within the project can serve different functions over time, making it relevant to occupants’ evolving lifestyles. The project also integrates elements for sustainability, influenced by residents’ feedback, ensuring a design that resonates with the local context and culture.

The "Social Puzzle" project exemplifies modern architecture’s potential to combine functionality and community focus. For further exploration of this innovative design, we encourage you to review the architectural plans, sections, designs, and ideas associated with the project to gain a more comprehensive understanding of its intricacies and implications.

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

The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge invites architects and designers to create iconic public sculptures for one of two sites in Saudi Arabia: Abu Hadriyah Road or the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar. Proposals should reflect Saudi identity, culture, and future aspirations.

`

The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge is an international architecture and design competition inviting creatives to shape the future of Saudi Arabia’s public spaces. With a total prize fund of €50,000, the competition calls for sculptural proposals that merge cultural symbolism with innovative design, offering participants a chance to see their concepts brought to life in a rapidly transforming national context.

Organised by Buildner in partnership with the Mujassam Watan Initiative, the challenge focuses on two prominent locations: Abu Hadriyah Road, a major highway and gateway into the Eastern Province, and the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar, a pedestrian-focused waterfront district. Designers must select one site and develop a sculpture that engages with its surroundings—whether addressing the fast-paced dynamism of a transit corridor or creating moments of interaction along a coastal promenade.

Proposals should be bold, site-specific, and rooted in narrative—drawing on themes such as heritage, national identity, transformation, and dialogue. Environmental responsiveness, material durability, and feasibility are strongly encouraged, as winning projects may be selected for actual construction.

Each submission must include four A2 landscape presentation boards, a cover image, and a written project description. The competition is open to professionals and students alike, working individually or in teams of up to four people. No professional license is required.

Registration is open until July 24, 2025, with final submissions due by August 27, 2025. Winners will be announced on October 1, 2025.

Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge

Design iconic urban sculptures for the prestigious Mujassam Watan competition and compete for 50,000 €

50,000 € PRIZE project COMPETITION
Prize 50,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 24 July 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #2
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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