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 Observation Point Crafted from Galvanized Steel and Solid Wood

Authors:
Michel Boucquillon, Donia Maaoui - (tunisian Architect)
Elevated Observation Point Crafted from Galvanized Steel and Solid Wood
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
An elevated bird's nest structure crafted from galvanized steel and solid wood provides expansive views of the Al Wathba reserve, creating a unique observation point that fosters interaction with nature and wildlife.
5 key facts about this project
01
Built as a large bird's nest, the tower emphasizes a connection to ornithology.
02
The observation platform is accessed via a smooth, gently sloped wooden ramp.
03
Exterior shading is provided by both the ramp and a stretched canvas.
04
Hidden concrete bases support the structure, maintaining its visual integration with the landscape.
05
Integrated lighting along pathways enhances safety while preserving the natural ambiance.

The Bark Nest Tower in Abu Dhabi is an observation point designed to connect visitors with the rich landscape of the Al Wathba protected area. The structure stands as a large bird's nest, built atop three columns, and acts as a visual marker in the surrounding environment. Its design not only highlights the natural beauty of the area but also celebrates the theme of ornithology.

Structure and Form
The tower features a prominent nest shape that symbolizes the relationship between architecture and nature. Elevated on three vertical columns, it provides clear views of the surrounding park. This height enhances the visitor experience, allowing for unobstructed sightlines that encourage exploration and appreciation of the landscape. The form of the tower fits well within the natural terrain, offering a modern perspective on organic shapes.

Accessibility and Visitor Experience
Visitors can access the observation area by a wide wooden ramp that promotes a slow and immersive journey to the top. This ramp's design includes shaded areas that protect visitors from the sun, addressing the climatic challenges of the region. Entering through the center of the nest, guests find a communal space designed for interaction and observation, enhancing their connection to the surroundings.

Materiality
The main structural components are made from galvanized steel, which is painted white to resist the local weather conditions. Decorative elements are crafted from 5mm steel sheets that have been cut with precision, reinforcing the concept while maintaining a contemporary look. Solid wood is used for the flooring and handrails because it offers durability and remains cool to the touch in high temperatures. The entire structure is anchored by three concrete bases that are not visible, helping the tower blend into the landscape.

Lighting and Safety Features
Lighting is incorporated along the ramp and within the gazebo to improve safety and create a calm environment during the evening. Handrails meet safety standards and are designed to accommodate visitors with varying needs. The layout of lookout points and resting areas invites exploration and fosters interaction with the diverse wildlife present in the vicinity.

One notable design detail is how light interacts with the tower's surfaces throughout the day. As the sun moves, shadows play across the structure, enhancing the visual experience for visitors and creating a connection between the architectural form and the natural environment surrounding it.

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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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 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
MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
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

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 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
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