Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Community Cohesion with Shared Terraces in Urban Living

Authors:
Tiziano Dallaporta, Sofia Barina, Alberto Presti
Community Cohesion with Shared Terraces in Urban Living
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
With an emphasis on horizontal metabolism, the design integrates shared terraces to foster community engagement in response to London’s pressing urban housing needs.
5 key facts about this project
01
Shared terraces designed to enhance community interaction among residents.
02
Duplex apartments accommodate a variety of household sizes to promote inclusivity.
03
Focus on improving local air quality through the integration of green spaces.
04
Housing model addresses the urgent need for mixed-income living in London.
05
Use of horizontal metabolism concept to balance private and communal living.

The project at Robin Hood Gardens occupies a significant position in one of London's rapidly developing areas. It aims to rejuvenate the community through thoughtfully designed residences that cater to various household sizes. With the concept of "Horizontal Metabolism," the development emphasizes both individual living spaces and shared outdoor areas. This focus allows residents to connect with one another while addressing the urgent need for housing in the borough.

Design Concept

Central to the design is a range of duplex apartments that accommodate people in different living situations. By offering units for singles, couples, and families, the development promotes inclusivity and diversity. The design is informed by the demographic landscape of the area, which consists mainly of younger residents. This flexibility in housing options helps fulfill the growing demand for comfortable living in a vibrant urban setting.

Outdoor Integration

The project features new terraces that serve as essential community spaces for interaction and relaxation. These terraces can be either private or shared, encouraging residents to use them for socializing and leisure activities. By placing emphasis on outdoor living, the design enhances the quality of life for those who inhabit the buildings. These terraces not only provide a visual appeal but also create spaces where neighbors can come together.

Environmental Considerations

Included in the planning process is a thorough look into the local environment, particularly the area's air quality challenges. To improve these conditions, the design incorporates green spaces that contribute to a healthier overall environment. The goal is to create a living area that fosters well-being while acknowledging the ecological responsibilities of urban development. This focus on sustainability enhances the appeal of the residences while aiming to benefit the local ecosystem.

Community Focus

Engagement with the community is a key aspect of the Robin Hood Gardens initiative. Insights into local demographics highlight the need for affordable housing that meets the needs of a diverse population. The project is designed to address these requirements by providing various living options. This thoughtful approach to community housing fosters social interaction among residents and encourages a sense of belonging.

The architecture reflects a commitment to creating adaptable spaces, where the balance between private homes and communal areas is carefully thought out. Each duplex unit aims to enhance functionality and connection to the surroundings, ensuring that residents can interact with both their immediate environment and their neighbors.

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