Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Cor-Ten Panels and Teak Accents Define a Compact Community Shelter

Cor-Ten Panels and Teak Accents Define a Compact Community Shelter
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Constructed with robust COR-TEN steel panels and enriched with teak accents, this compact community shelter prioritizes sustainability and functional design to provide a versatile living environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with durable COR-TEN steel panels for longevity and low maintenance.
02
Features teak accents that enhance both aesthetics and weather resistance.
03
Utilizes passive solar design principles for energy efficiency.
04
Incorporates a rainwater harvesting system for sustainability in resource management.
05
The bent A-frame design increases structural integrity while optimizing interior space.

### Overview

The ALFIE Community Project is situated within a context that emphasizes sustainability and adaptability, designed in response to modern societal trends of increased mobility and environmental awareness. The primary intent is to create compact housing solutions that incorporate essential amenities while fostering a sense of community. The architecture reflects a commitment to durability and eco-conscious living, addressing both the needs of individuals and the community as a whole.

### Spatial Efficiency and User Adaptability

The design employs an innovative spatial organization, optimizing the use of limited square footage. Essential areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces are configured to promote functionality and comfort. Features such as multi-functional furniture—desks that serve as dining surfaces—allow for flexibility in how residents utilize their space. High ceilings and expansive glazing facilitate abundant natural light and ventilation, contributing to an inviting living environment. Outdoor areas, including porches, enhance the connection between internal spaces and the landscape, supporting both privacy and community engagement.

### Material Selection and Sustainability

The ALFIE project prioritizes the use of sustainable materials, ensuring a reduced environmental footprint while promoting longevity and low maintenance. COR-TEN steel panels provide durability and blend with the surroundings, while 316 stainless steel components offer corrosion resistance suited for long-lasting performance. Additionally, treated timbers such as teak are incorporated for their natural resilience. Advanced insulation systems, including Kingspan products, enhance thermal performance, and the integration of rainwater harvesting systems further reflects a commitment to resource efficiency. This careful material selection not only addresses practical concerns but also aligns with contemporary standards for sustainable construction.

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 Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
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
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

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
Rome 
Rain Rooms

Design a rain room for Rome

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 14 January 2026
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
Iceland 
Slow Sauna

Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 28 January 2026
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
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

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 Home of 
Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 14 January 2026
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
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
Advance registration deadline 22 January 2026
new
MICROHOME 2026

Design a new concept of small-scale home and share a prize fund of 100,000€

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 11 February 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