Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Cross-Laminated Timber Structures Elevated Above Nature with Charred Wood Accents

Authors:
Elsa López Sanz, Carlos Utrero Onsina, Marina Camacho Galán
Cross-Laminated Timber Structures Elevated Above Nature with Charred Wood Accents
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Elevated structures made from cross-laminated timber and accented with charred wood create an environmentally sensitive living space that fosters community engagement and individual well-being.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated construction allows natural drainage and minimizes site disturbance.
02
Integration of cork insulation enhances thermal efficiency and eco-friendliness.
03
Community gardens are designed within the project footprint to encourage local food production.
04
Extensive use of glass maximizes natural light while connecting occupants with the landscape.
05
Movable partitions create adaptable spaces to accommodate diverse communal activities.

The Catalyst Project is an architectural design initiative that emphasizes sustainability and community engagement within a natural environment. This project is characterized by its innovative integration of built structures with the landscape, promoting a symbiotic relationship between residents and nature. The design consists of several tetrahedral structures that serve both private and communal purposes, effectively merging modern living with traditional architectural elements.

The primary function of the Catalyst Project is to create a living space that fosters both individual well-being and social interaction. By utilizing eco-friendly materials and innovative design methods, the project aims to enhance the quality of life for its inhabitants while minimizing its ecological footprint. Each structure is positioned to optimize natural light and ventilation, creating a healthy living environment.

Unique Design Approaches

One distinguishing feature of the Catalyst Project is its use of local timber as the primary structural material. This choice not only reduces transportation emissions but also supports regional forestry industries. In addition to timber, the project incorporates cork insulation, known for its thermal properties and environmental sustainability. This combination aligns with the overall goal of creating energy-efficient living spaces.

The building layout further sets the Catalyst Project apart. The design promotes interaction through shared communal spaces, allowing for gardening and social activities. Movable partitions within the interior spaces encourage adaptability, accommodating various uses as community needs evolve. Thoughtful landscaping complements the architecture, with green roofs facilitating biodiversity and providing areas for urban farming.

Architectural Details

The architectural details of the Catalyst Project engage with both aesthetic and functional goals. Extensive glass window systems invite natural light into living areas, reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day. The raised structures prevent water accumulation, enhancing drainage and protecting the integrity of the buildings.

Additionally, design elements address health and wellness by integrating natural meditation spaces which encourage mindfulness. The inclusion of efficient storage options for food and water reinforces the project's commitment to self-sufficiency. Overall, these design elements create a cohesive environment that balances individual privacy with community connection.

For further insights into the Catalyst Project, including architectural plans, architectural sections, and comprehensive architectural designs that illustrate these innovative ideas, we encourage you to explore the project's detailed presentation.

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