Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Floating Community Resiliently Crafted with Modular Cross-Laminated Timber Panels

Authors:
Luis Alejandro Morales Mendoza, Patricio Andrés Zamora Montes, Leandro Leonel Quilodrán Mendoza
Floating Community Resiliently Crafted with Modular Cross-Laminated Timber Panels
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Crafted from modular cross-laminated timber panels, the floating community integrates sustainable living with marine resilience, addressing urban housing needs while promoting social interaction among residents.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted from modular cross-laminated timber panels for enhanced structural efficiency.
02
Incorporates charred wooden shingles for improved durability and weather resistance.
03
Features a unique bent A-frame design that optimizes space and aesthetics.
04
Engineered to adapt to rising sea levels with buoyant foundations.
05
Promotes community interaction through strategically designed shared spaces.

The architectural project focuses on a floating city designed to address the housing crisis in San Francisco. This innovative approach utilizes the water's surface to create a new urban environment, accommodating affordable housing and communal spaces. The design responds to challenges such as land scarcity and climate change, aiming to provide sustainable living options for diverse populations. The architecture not only serves a residential purpose but also promotes social interaction and community building, integrating recreational areas and public amenities seamlessly into the overall layout.

Unique Design Approaches and Housing Flexibility

This project distinguishes itself from conventional housing developments through its modular floating structures. The design incorporates adaptable residential units that accommodate varying family sizes and lifestyles. The use of materials such as concrete, expanded polystyrene, timber, and glass ensures durability, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal while enhancing the project's ability to float and withstand environmental challenges. The incorporation of solar panels aligns with contemporary energy efficiency standards, making the project environmentally responsive.

The architectural design emphasizes community engagement by featuring public realms like parks and communal gathering spots. This encourages interaction among residents while promoting a sense of belonging. The spatial organization prioritizes accessibility and mobility, bringing in design elements such as transport connectivity to the mainland.

Environmental Integration and Resilience

The project contains significant attention to environmental considerations, with a focus on minimizing ecological impact. The floating city design allows for adaptive responses to rising sea levels and flooding, offering resilient living solutions amid climate uncertainties. The architecture reflects a commitment to integrating with marine ecosystems, ensuring that the built environment enhances rather than disrupts natural habitats.

To explore more about the architectural plans, designs, and sections of this floating city concept, readers are encouraged to delve into the project presentations. These insights will provide a comprehensive understanding of how this design reflects contemporary architectural ideas while addressing pressing housing needs.

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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

`
Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 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
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 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
Early bird registration deadline 15 October 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 16 October 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025
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
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

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