Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Circles of Reflection with Low-E Glass and Marble in a Desert Oasis

Authors:
Kimberly Maribel Ramirez, Jesús Carlos Álvarez Ruiz
Circles of Reflection with Low-E Glass and Marble in a Desert Oasis
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Circular forms inspired by the Arabian Oryx enhance natural ventilation and light while Low-E glass and marble flooring contribute to the sustainability of a desert retreat designed for relaxation and reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Circular design inspired by the Arabian Oryx enhances both aesthetics and functionality.
02
Utilizes rainwater harvesting systems for sustainable water management.
03
Features open-air showers to promote immersion with the desert environment.
04
Integrates solar panels for renewable energy sources throughout the facility.
05
Low-E glass windows help regulate temperature and reduce energy consumption.

The Oasis – Desert Ecolodges is situated in the vast expanse of the Emirati desert. It blends traditional Arabian design with modern sustainability, offering a serene refuge for those seeking rest in a challenging environment. The design follows bioclimatic principles, which help to adapt to and manage the extreme desert conditions while honoring the local cultural heritage.

Spatial Organization

The layout is thoughtfully organized to create various areas that serve different purposes for visitors. Important features include prayer rooms, a restaurant and shisha bar, a lobby, and spaces for relaxation and dining. Each area is designed for easy access, helping visitors move through the space effortlessly while enjoying a welcoming atmosphere.

Design Inspiration

The architectural forms take inspiration from the Arabian Oryx, employing circular shapes that enhance views and engage with the surrounding landscape. This design choice allows for impressive sightlines and aids in natural ventilation and lighting, crucial for comfort in a desert climate.

Sustainability Strategies

The commitment to sustainability is evident through several resource management strategies. The building collects rainwater for reuse, and an atmospheric water generator captures humidity. Solar panels provide power, highlighting the focus on renewable energy. Additionally, graywater is processed and reused, which emphasizes the importance of reducing environmental impact.

Material Selection

Materials like wood decking, marble flooring, stone, and Low-E Guardian Glass in windows reflect a blend of aesthetics and functionality. These materials not only look appealing but also support thermal regulation and durability, contributing to a comfortable interior climate amid harsh external conditions.

The design features open-air showers and surrounding decks that encourage a close relationship with the desert environment. Each detail is crafted to strengthen the bond between architecture and nature, inviting guests to fully engage with the tranquil landscape.

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