Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Fluid Rooflines in Glass and Steel Create an Inviting Transit Experience

Author:
Weizi Song
Fluid Rooflines in Glass and Steel Create an Inviting Transit Experience

Project in-detail

Asymmetrical rooflines crafted from glass and steel create a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces, enhancing the user experience in a vital urban transit hub.
5 key facts about this project
01
Asymmetrical rooflines create a dynamic visual identity while providing effective rainwater management.
02
Transparent glass façades enhance natural light and visual connectivity with the surrounding urban environment.
03
The integration of sustainable landscaping promotes biodiversity and enhances user experience in communal spaces.
04
Innovative circulation design encourages smooth pedestrian flow and interaction among users.
05
Use of steel construction facilitates expansive cantilevers, maximizing usable space within the transit hub.

The Zephyr Transit Hub embodies an innovative architectural approach to urban transportation in a strategically significant location near Union Station, Chicago. This project integrates essential transit functions with community engagement, reflecting a modern interpretation of public architecture. The design focuses on enhancing the user experience, encouraging pedestrian flow, and creating an inviting environment that serves both commuters and the public.

The architectural concept behind the Zephyr Transit Hub draws inspiration from the movement of air and wind, reflecting fluid forms that facilitate easy navigation within the space. The project's primary function is to serve as a transit hub, accommodating various modes of transportation while providing access to vital urban amenities. The spatial organization includes areas for ticketing, waiting, and retail, all strategically designed to optimize the flow of people.

Material selection is critical to the project’s identity. Glass is a dominant feature in the façade, promoting transparency and visual connectivity. The use of steel provides structural support, allowing for the expansive and dynamic forms characteristic of the design. Concrete elements ensure stability, while wood introduces warmth and a natural element to the interior spaces. Sustainable landscaping complements the design, fostering ecological integration within the urban setting.

The unique design approaches of the Zephyr Transit Hub set it apart from conventional transit facilities. The use of organic shapes not only defines the building's aesthetic but also improves functionality. The structure’s asymmetrical rooflines and expansive canopies facilitate effective weather protection while maintaining an open and airy essence. Attention to pedestrian experience is evident in the layout, which encourages movement and interaction among users.

Green initiatives are embedded within the design philosophy, as evidenced by the incorporation of natural light sources and environmentally friendly materials. This aligns with contemporary architectural trends focusing on sustainability and user-centric design. The public spaces within the hub are designed to promote social interaction, creating a communal atmosphere that extends the transit experience beyond mere travel.

For more detailed insights into the architectural designs, including architectural plans and sections, we encourage exploring the project presentation. Such analysis will further illuminate the unique principles and design ideas that define the Zephyr Transit Hub and its role within the urban landscape.

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

The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge invites architects and designers to create iconic public sculptures for one of two sites in Saudi Arabia: Abu Hadriyah Road or the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar. Proposals should reflect Saudi identity, culture, and future aspirations.

`

The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge is an international architecture and design competition inviting creatives to shape the future of Saudi Arabia’s public spaces. With a total prize fund of €50,000, the competition calls for sculptural proposals that merge cultural symbolism with innovative design, offering participants a chance to see their concepts brought to life in a rapidly transforming national context.

Organised by Buildner in partnership with the Mujassam Watan Initiative, the challenge focuses on two prominent locations: Abu Hadriyah Road, a major highway and gateway into the Eastern Province, and the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar, a pedestrian-focused waterfront district. Designers must select one site and develop a sculpture that engages with its surroundings—whether addressing the fast-paced dynamism of a transit corridor or creating moments of interaction along a coastal promenade.

Proposals should be bold, site-specific, and rooted in narrative—drawing on themes such as heritage, national identity, transformation, and dialogue. Environmental responsiveness, material durability, and feasibility are strongly encouraged, as winning projects may be selected for actual construction.

Each submission must include four A2 landscape presentation boards, a cover image, and a written project description. The competition is open to professionals and students alike, working individually or in teams of up to four people. No professional license is required.

Registration is open until July 24, 2025, with final submissions due by August 27, 2025. Winners will be announced on October 1, 2025.

Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge

Design iconic urban sculptures for the prestigious Mujassam Watan competition and compete for 50,000 €

50,000 € PRIZE project COMPETITION
Prize 50,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 24 July 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #2
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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