Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Dualsun Solar Batteries Powering Green Atrium Living Above Rome’s Archaeological Heritage

Authors:
Sofya Barannik, Vitalia Son
Dualsun Solar Batteries Powering Green Atrium Living Above Rome’s Archaeological Heritage
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Set against Rome's archaeological backdrop, the integration of DualSun solar batteries and green atrium spaces redefines communal living for students and professors, creating a sustainable and functional residential complex.
5 key facts about this project
01
The complex is positioned directly above an archaeological site, integrating history with modern living.
02
Each student unit measures approximately 15 m², promoting efficient use of space.
03
The professors’ block features a ten-storey design with an open green atrium, enhancing communal interaction.
04
The use of DualSun solar batteries supports energy production and water heating.
05
Social spaces like a lectorium and museum foster connections between residents and the broader community.

RE-STORIA represents a significant achievement in co-living design, located in the center of Rome. It aims to meet the housing needs of students and professors at Sapienza University, while connecting modern living spaces with the city's historical context. Positioned above an archaeological site, the design opens up a conversation between ancient and contemporary elements and contributes positively to the urban environment.

Design Concept

The concept centers on creating a layered living experience that respects historical assets. The layout consists of three buildings that serve different user groups. Student accommodations are designed as low-cost units, each around 15 m², and include shared facilities like co-working spaces, a gym, and communal living areas. This setup encourages social interaction and fosters a sense of community among residents.

Spatial Organization

The professors’ building stands out as a ten-storey tower featuring an open green atrium. These units are larger, about 25 m² each, which provides a more spacious living environment. This separation ensures that both students and professors have their specific needs addressed. The design carefully balances private spaces with communal facilities to create a supportive living arrangement that benefits both groups.

Community Integration

A vital aspect of the design includes various social spaces located on the lower levels of the complex. These areas house a lectorium, coworking offices, a museum, and even a swimming pool. This integration helps connect the university community with public spaces, promoting collaboration and engagement. It invites interaction not only among residents but also between the university and the city.

Sustainability Measures

Sustainability is a key principle in the design, employing advanced systems to reduce gas consumption for heating and electricity use for lighting. The project includes DualSun solar batteries that generate electricity and integrate heat exchangers to pre-heat tap water. Additionally, a human-centric lighting management system adapts lighting based on user needs, contributing to energy efficiency and overall comfort.

The exterior of RE-STORIA combines modern design features while reflecting the historical character of Rome, creating a cohesive look that respects the surroundings. The result is a thoughtful approach to urban living, grounded in sustainability and community engagement.

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