Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Dynamic Facade of Staggered Units in Colorful Concrete Housing

Author:
Leonid Emdin
Dynamic Facade of Staggered Units in Colorful Concrete Housing
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
A vibrant mosaic of staggered concrete units, this housing development integrates vertical planters and a playful color scheme, efficiently addressing the needs of urban living while fostering community interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
The building's design incorporates a dynamic, pixelated arrangement of colorfully staggered concrete units.
02
Vertical planters are integrated into the external staircases, enhancing urban greenery and biodiversity.
03
Each residential unit varies in size and layout, addressing the diverse needs of families.
04
The vibrant color palette features seven distinct shades, contributing to the building's visual identity.
05
Natural light is maximized through expansive reinforced glass windows, creating airy living spaces.

**Overview**
Located in Hong Kong, the Pixel Homes project presents an innovative solution to the challenges of high-density urban living. The design capitalizes on modularity, characterized by a series of interlinked volumetric units that represent individual living spaces, or "pixels." Each unit is arranged in a dynamic formation, slightly shifting from its neighbors to create a visually stimulating façade that reflects the complexities of urban life. The intent is to foster a diverse community within a compact urban fabric while addressing the spatial constraints typical of high-density environments.

**Spatial Strategy and Access**
The building features a unique structural configuration with a square base measuring 10 by 10 meters, structured in a vertical, spiraling arrangement. A central elevator shaft optimizes vertical circulation, while open, interconnected staircases provide external access to residences. These staircases integrate planters that enhance the interplay between built structures and greenery, promoting a harmonious relationship with nature. The layout encourages movement and interaction among residents, reinforcing community engagement in an otherwise densely populated area.

**Material and Color Palette**
The design employs vibrant colors and diverse textures to evoke a lively atmosphere. The exterior showcases seven distinct finishes—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, dark blue, and purple—while the pixelated wall textures echo digital imagery, emphasizing themes of connectivity. Notable materials include concrete for structural integrity, reinforced glass for natural lighting, and painted finishes that contribute to both aesthetic diversity and environmental adaptation. Vertical green spaces are incorporated through planters, further enhancing the ecological footprint of the project and promoting air quality improvement within the urban landscape.

**Community and Sustainability Principles**
The integration of external staircases and green spaces cultivates opportunities for social interaction, fostering a sense of community among residents. In addition to aesthetic benefits, the vegetation supports urban biodiversity and enhances ecological performance by utilizing local climate conditions for sustainable design. The expressive façade not only enriches the visual identity of the building but also facilitates a participatory experience for residents and visitors alike, aligning with contemporary architectural practices focused on user-centered environments.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

`
Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 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
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 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
Early bird registration deadline 15 October 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 16 October 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025
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
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

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