Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Emphasis on Natural Light Enhanced by Asymmetrical Gable Roofs and Durable Terracotta Tiles in Sustainable Olive Oil Retreat

Author:
Casey Krause
Emphasis on Natural Light Enhanced by Asymmetrical Gable Roofs and Durable Terracotta Tiles in Sustainable Olive Oil Retreat
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
With asymmetrical gable roofs that capture natural light and integrate terracotta tiles reflective of local tradition, the retreat offers an immersive experience in olive oil production and tasting amidst serene landscapes.
5 key facts about this project
01
Asymmetrical gable roofs enhance natural ventilation throughout the space.
02
Terracotta tiles provide a traditional aesthetic while ensuring thermal efficiency.
03
An integrated pergola offers shaded outdoor communal areas for gatherings.
04
Private meditation rooms are strategically located to promote tranquility and privacy.
05
Local craftsmanship in materials emphasizes the connection to the surrounding olive grove.

### Project Overview
Sombra e Azeite is a residential retreat designed for the Verde family, situated within a landscape of olive groves. The project serves as both a guesthouse and an Olive Oil Tasting Room, aimed at enhancing the experience of visitors interested in high-quality olive oil production. The design seeks to integrate modern architecture with traditional agricultural practices, providing a space that reflects the cultural significance of the olive industry.

### Spatial Organization
The layout features a coherent separation between guest accommodations and communal areas, promoting both social interaction and privacy. The ground floor includes an open living and dining area, along with two private meditation rooms and direct access to outdoor spaces, facilitating communal gathering. On the upper floor, guest rooms equipped with private bathrooms prioritize comfort while ensuring seclusion. A central pergola connects the two buildings and offers a courtyard that serves as a multifunctional space for relaxation and culinary experiences, underscoring the project's emphasis on social engagement.

### Materiality
The selection of materials throughout Sombra e Azeite emphasizes sustainability and a connection to the local environment. The structural framework utilizes brick and white plaster for durability, while wood is prominently featured in interior spaces to create a warm atmosphere. Terracotta tiles on the roof invoke elements of traditional Portuguese architecture, and large glass windows enhance natural light while framing views of the surrounding landscape. Metal accents in roofing and framework complement the modern design, contributing to the project's visual narrative.

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