Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Etched Brass Viewing Tower Merging Concrete and Landscape in Volcanic Terrain

Authors:
Dora Šterić, Stefan Slavić
Etched Brass Viewing Tower Merging Concrete and Landscape in Volcanic Terrain
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
A glass and etched brass viewing tower rises from the volcanic landscape, expertly blending concrete architecture with its rugged surroundings to create a multifunctional space for observing the breathtaking terrain.
5 key facts about this project
01
A viewing tower positioned at the edge of a volcanic cap enhances the connection between architecture and landscape.
02
The use of etched brass elements reflects ambient light, adding a dynamic quality to the structure.
03
Concrete construction integrates with the geological features, ensuring durability in a rugged environment.
04
An interconnected network of pathways encourages exploration and engagement with the surrounding terrain.
05
Landscaped areas around the structure promote biodiversity and seasonal changes in the environment.

### Project Overview

Situated at the foot of a prominent geological feature in Turkey, close to the country's third-largest volcano, the design aims to create a connection between visitors and the surrounding landscape. The concept emphasizes the relationship between natural and built environments, resulting in a structure that complements the volcanic terrain while functioning as a viewing platform for the area’s scenic vistas.

### Spatial Engagement

The design strategically positions the structure at the uninhabited edges of the volcanic cap, optimizing panoramic views and enhancing user experience. The contrast between the rugged terrain and the architectural form serves to heighten the visual and sensory richness of the site. By selecting a vantage point that offers expansive perspectives, the design fosters a deeper connection with nature, transitioning the experience from mere observation to active engagement.

### Materiality and Environmental Considerations

The material selection reflects a deliberate response to the site’s natural textures and colors, promoting both functionality and sustainability. Key materials include:

- **Concrete**: Provides a stable foundation and durability, aligning with the geological context.
- **Glass**: Introduces transparency and allows for unobstructed views, contributing a lightweight quality to certain structural elements.
- **Etched Brass**: Offers visual and tactile complexity, engaging visitors and enhancing the sensory experience while ensuring durability.

These materials not only enhance the visual appeal of the structure but also support environmentally-conscious design principles, reinforcing its integration with the landscape.

### Architectural Features

The design results in a multi-faceted structure characterized by:

- **Viewing Tower**: Prominently rising from the landscape, it facilitates unique perspectives that enhance the connection between visitors and their surroundings.
- **Circulation Elements**: Pathways and staircases encourage exploration and movement, integrating organically with the sloped terrain and offering varying heights and viewpoints throughout the site.
- **Natural Integration**: Careful incorporation of planting and natural elements blurs the boundaries between the built environment and the landscape, creating a dynamic, living space that evolves with the seasons.

This project showcases careful intent, transforming the structure into an integral part of its natural backdrop, fostering interaction and engagement with the geological narrative of the region.

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 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 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

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
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 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