Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Flexible Wood Shell with Solar Integration for Community Living

Author:
Giada Pacini
Flexible Wood Shell with Solar Integration for Community Living
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
A flexible wood shell enveloped by a protective layer and reinforced with solar panels creates a sustainable living environment that encourages community engagement while preserving individual privacy.
5 key facts about this project
01
Flexible vertical wood panels allow for adaptability in space usage.
02
RENOGY solar panels enhance energy efficiency and sustainability.
03
A protective layer shields the structure from water and sand.
04
Underground water sourcing contributes to resource management.
05
Large glass doors and windows foster a strong indoor-outdoor connection.

The Oryx Shelter is designed to facilitate communal living while emphasizing sustainability and practicality. The setting inspires a functional and welcoming atmosphere. The design aims to balance social interaction with personal privacy. Natural light fills the space, creating a warm and inviting environment suitable for modern living.

Design Concept

At the core of the project is a vision to promote community bonds alongside individual comfort. The layout showcases distinct areas that encourage shared experiences among residents while also providing quiet spaces for relaxation. Large glass doors and revolving windows enhance the connection between inside and outside, allowing fresh air and sunlight to flow through.

Materiality and Structure

Material choices focus on durability and efficiency. Flexible vertical wood panels allow the design to adapt over time. A sturdy wood frame offers essential support and stability. Additional features include a protective layer against water and sand, ensuring longevity against the elements. Insulation is strategically placed to maintain a comfortable temperature inside throughout the seasons.

Sustainability Features

Sustainability remains a priority, highlighted by the use of RENOGY flexible solar panels. This addition supports energy efficiency and encourages responsible resource use. The design also incorporates underground water sourcing, which helps manage water use effectively. These features reflect a conscious effort to minimize environmental impact while providing for residents' needs.

Spatial Arrangement

The building’s elevations are designed to maximize natural light, while the spatial arrangement respects residents' privacy. Each element provides functionality for daily activities, supporting communal living without sacrificing personal space. The arrangement of various areas ensures that occupants can thrive within their environment, enhancing their overall quality of life.

A notable element of The Oryx Shelter is its innovative shell detail, combining flexible wood panels with protection layers. This combination reinforces the structure's resilience and emphasizes its ability to adapt to environmental conditions, reflecting a responsive approach to contemporary living.

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