Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Senior Residence Designed for Comfort and Connection

Authors:
Nadav Gefen- furestain, Neta Gefen-Grinbaum
Senior Residence Designed for Comfort and Connection

Project in-detail

This project delivers a thoughtfully designed Elderly Home in Portugal, focused on enhancing residents' quality of life through comfort, accessibility, and community engagement. The design integrates contemporary elder care principles with a spatial layout that balances social interaction and personal privacy.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and fire resistance.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels to provide structural stability while minimizing environmental impact.
03
Features a bent A-frame design that optimizes interior space utilization and natural light access.
04
Includes a central courtyard designed for social interaction and gardening activities.
05
Emphasizes accessibility in all communal and private areas to support diverse mobility needs.

Anchored by a central courtyard, the design fosters a harmonious balance between communal engagement and private retreat, creating an environment that supports both active social interaction and personal reflection for elderly peoples . Emphasizing accessibility and fluid circulation, the residence accommodates diverse mobility needs, ensuring comfort and independence for all inhabitants.

The layout promotes accessibility and fluid movement through open spaces, ensuring that residents with varying mobility levels can navigate the facility comfortably. Private resident rooms have been thoughtfully designed, each featuring access to balconies that open up to the courtyard, allowing for personal outdoor time. The design also incorporates quiet zones within the layout, providing solitude without isolating residents from the community.

One of the unique aspects of this project is its blend of communal and private areas, enabling residents to engage in social activities while having the option for solitude. The communal spaces, such as the gathering hall and dining room, are designed for flexibility, accommodating various events and activities. The inclusion of gardens and green spaces further supports residents’ engagement with the outdoor environment, promoting physical and mental health benefits.

The project reflects strong environmental considerations, with a focus on sustainability through the selection of materials and landscaping. Terracotta tiles are utilized in specific areas to maintain a locally inspired aesthetic. Extensive use of glass enhances light penetration and offers views of the surrounding landscape, creating a connection to nature that is essential for the well-being of the elderly population.

The overall integration of natural light, vegetation, and open spaces contributes to a nurturing and calm atmosphere. This design responds to the needs of elderly residents by creating a safe environment that encourages mobility and social interactions while honoring local architectural traditions.

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

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
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
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