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 Natural Ventilation in Sustainable Residential Design

Authors:
Yurong Huang, Dingming Wang
Charred Wooden Shingles and Natural Ventilation in Sustainable Residential Design
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Incorporating charred wooden shingles and cross-laminated timber panels, this residential design emphasizes natural ventilation and energy efficiency to create a functional and environmentally responsive living space.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates a bent A-frame design to enhance structural stability and aesthetic appeal.
02
Utilizes locally sourced charred wooden shingles for improved weather resistance and sustainability.
03
Features cross-laminated timber panels that reduce construction waste and increase insulation efficiency.
04
Integrates green spaces with vertical gardens to promote biodiversity and natural cooling.
05
Employs passive solar strategies for optimized energy management throughout the year.

The project presents a thoughtful integration of modern architecture with its surrounding environment. Situated in a context that emphasizes both functionality and aesthetic coherence, it embodies a design philosophy that prioritizes sustainability while addressing the needs of its users. The design approach focuses on creating spaces that are adaptable and responsive, ensuring long-term utility.

Site Context and Spatial Organization
The architectural design responds to the site's unique contours and climate, utilizing natural topography to enhance both functionality and aesthetic appeal. The layout comprises distinct zones, including communal areas, private spaces, and circulation corridors, which facilitate seamless movement throughout the structure. Large windows and open-plan areas allow for maximized natural light and ventilation, promoting energy efficiency and occupant comfort. Both exterior and interior spaces are designed to foster interaction and engagement, making the environment user-friendly.

Unique Material Choices and Innovative Techniques
A defining element of the project lies in its unique material selection and construction techniques. The use of local materials not only minimizes the environmental impact but also reinforces the connection to the cultural heritage of the area. Concrete and glass are predominant materials, providing both robustness and transparency. The incorporation of sustainable materials, such as reclaimed wood and low-VOC finishes, further reflects a commitment to ecological responsibility.

The design employs innovative construction methods, including prefabrication techniques which allow for efficiency on-site and reduce waste. This pragmatic approach enhances the building's sustainability profile while ensuring high-quality craftsmanship. The integration of green roofs and vertical gardens not only beautifies the structure but also contributes to biodiversity and improves air quality.

Strategic Integration of Technology
The architectural design introduces smart technology features that enhance functionality and user experience. Automated systems for lighting, climate control, and security are seamlessly incorporated, allowing for a high degree of customization and efficiency. These features contribute to resource management and reduce energy consumption, aligning with modern architectural standards for environmentally responsive design.

Further exploration of the architectural plans and sections will provide deeper insights into the organization and functionality of spaces within the project. By examining the architectural designs and ideas, readers can appreciate the detailed thought process behind each aspect, from material selection to the innovative techniques that define this architectural endeavor. Explore the project presentation for more details to gain a comprehensive understanding of this well-considered architectural project.

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