Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Earth Concrete and Cross-Laminated Timber Create a Harmonious Retreat in the Portuguese Landscape

Authors:
Anthony Michalik, Rodrigue Bourdouch, Thomas Jennen, Théo Collignon
Earth Concrete and Cross-Laminated Timber Create a Harmonious Retreat in the Portuguese Landscape
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Utilizing earth concrete and cross-laminated timber, this retreat seamlessly integrates with the natural landscape while providing a peaceful hub for communal living and reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes 400 mm raw earth concrete walls for enhanced thermal performance.
02
Features expansive glass walls to maximize natural light and scenic views.
03
Incorporates a meditation space designed for introspective experiences.
04
Employs local materials to create an authentic connection with its environment.
05
Balances communal and private areas through intentional spatial configuration.

### Overview
Casa Oliveira is situated within the scenic landscapes of the Portuguese countryside, designed to foster community engagement and a sense of tranquility. The project aims to create spaces for both individual reflection and communal interaction, thereby promoting a lifestyle that embraces nature and connection.

### Spatial Strategy
The architectural layout is structured around three primary zones: guest accommodations, a meditation space, and a central living area. This organization allows for a balance between privacy and socialization, with interconnected pathways facilitating movement throughout the space. The use of an open-plan design enhances the flow between these distinct areas, while large windows provide abundant natural light and establish a seamless connection to the exterior landscape.

### Materiality and Sustainability
The choice of materials significantly influences both the functional and aesthetic aspects of Casa Oliveira. The use of 400 mm wide raw earth concrete walls emphasizes thermal efficiency and contributes to a tactile environment. In addition, local wood elements are incorporated into beams and flooring, introducing organic textures that complement the natural setting. Glass features prominently, offering transparency and maximizing views of the surrounding landscape. The design reflects a commitment to regional building traditions and ecological sustainability, evident in the thoughtful integration of materials sourced from the local context.

The overall design achieves a harmonious blend of spaces that accommodate communal gatherings and individual retreats, enhancing the quality of life for its users.

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

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
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
Final registration deadline 4 February 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