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 Wooden Shingles and Concrete Form a Meditative Community Hub in a Natural Setting

Authors:
Susana Sousa, David Dobarco Nuñez
Charred Wooden Shingles and Concrete Form a Meditative Community Hub in a Natural Setting
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Utilizing charred wooden shingles and concrete, the design harmonizes with its natural surroundings to create a multifunctional space dedicated to wellness and community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes an innovative bent A-frame design that enhances spatial efficiency and aesthetic appeal.
02
Incorporates sustainable cross-laminated timber panels for structural integrity and thermal performance.
03
Features charred wooden shingles that not only provide weather resistance but also align with ecological design principles.
04
Integrates a rainwater collection system to ensure sustainable water management throughout the facility.
05
Promotes local biodiversity by incorporating native plant species in the surrounding landscape design.

The architectural project "Asana" exemplifies a thoughtful and harmonious integration of design principles with its natural environment. Located in a varied landscape, the structure promotes wellness and mindfulness through its spatial organization and material selections. It operates as a multifunctional space, serving as a yoga studio and community center, designed to accommodate various activities that align with its wellness-focused mission.

The layout includes an expansive yoga area that provides unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape, fostering an environment conducive to relaxation and meditation. Additional utility spaces, such as restrooms and a kitchen, are seamlessly incorporated into the design to enhance user convenience while maintaining a cohesive architectural language.

Unique Design Approaches

Asana’s architectural design stands out due to its adaptability and context-sensitive planning. The building strategically employs a cantilevered structure that respects the site's topography, minimizing disruptions to the natural landscape. Large glass panels create transparency between the interior and exterior, allowing natural light to permeate the space while establishing a visual connection with its context. This design choice emphasizes the tranquility of the environment, promoting a sense of unity with nature.

Sustainability is a core principle of the project, with several features aimed at reducing environmental impact. Efficient water management systems, including a rainwater collection setup and greywater recycling, contribute to sustainable resource utilization. The choice of durable materials such as concrete and engineered wood enhances the project's longevity, while the implementation of metal for structural integrity ensures a modern aesthetic without compromising on functionality.

Integration with the landscape is further emphasized through the incorporation of native plant species around the building, which contributes to local biodiversity and minimizes maintenance needs. This conscious effort to enhance the natural surroundings sets Asana apart from typical architectural developments.

Functional Specifications

The structure is carefully designed to facilitate both solitary and communal activities. The yoga area can be easily reconfigured to allow for different class sizes and formats, showcasing the building’s ability to adapt to changing user needs. The welcome area serves as a central hub, fostering a sense of community among users while providing access to various amenities.

In summary, "Asana" represents a thoughtful fusion of sustainable architecture and wellness-oriented design. Its innovative features and functional adaptability make it a noteworthy example in contemporary architectural discourse. Readers interested in architectural plans, architectural sections, and architectural designs are encouraged to explore the project presentation further for more detailed insights into the design's technical and aesthetic elements.

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