Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Elevated Green Roofs and Community-Centric Spaces Foster Ecological Restoration Near Lake Urmia

Elevated Green Roofs and Community-Centric Spaces Foster Ecological Restoration Near Lake Urmia
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Built with eco-roofs and mixed-use facilities, the architectural intervention near Lake Urmia revitalizes the area while promoting community engagement and ecological sustainability.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes locally sourced materials, including charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and aesthetic appeal.
02
Integrates multi-use spaces designed to foster community interaction and promote ecological awareness.
03
Features an innovative bent A-frame structure that maximizes natural light and panoramic views of the lake.
04
Incorporates green roofs to support biodiversity and manage stormwater effectively.
05
Employs photovoltaic panels and wind turbines to achieve energy self-sufficiency throughout the facility.

### Overview
The "Revive Lake Urmia" project is situated in Iran, focusing on the restoration and revitalization of Lake Urmia, a region that has experienced significant environmental degradation over the past two decades. The proposal synthesizes innovative architectural design with sustainability and cultural heritage, aiming to address the pressing ecological challenges faced by the area. The design reinterprets the historical bridge that once connected communities over the lake, transforming it into a multi-functional hub that encourages environmental stewardship and reconnects the public with the natural landscape.

### Structural and Material Strategy
The design employs a range of contemporary materials to ensure both durability and aesthetic appeal. Concrete serves as the primary structural element, providing the necessary strength for the bridge's framework. Glass facades facilitate natural light and unobstructed views of the lake, creating a dialogue between interior spaces and the surrounding environment. The inclusion of steel components enhances the flexibility and resilience of the structure, while natural stone accents pay homage to traditional Persian architectural styles. Green roof systems are integrated to improve insulation and promote biodiversity, alongside photovoltaic panels installed to harness solar energy and support sustainability goals.

### Community and Ecological Engagement
The project emphasizes community interaction through the incorporation of Persian gardens, which not only enrich the landscape but also support local wildlife. Multi-use facilities within the bridge enable diverse functions such as offices, retail spaces, and accommodations, promoting a mixed-use philosophy that fosters economic vitality. Elevated pedestrian pathways and recreational areas encourage community engagement and facilitate access to the lake. The strategic placement of wind turbines further underscores a commitment to renewable energy, enhancing the project's ecological footprint while integrating sustainable practices throughout its design.

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