Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Gabion Walls and Bamboo Structure Create a Self-Sufficient Mountain Habitat

Author:
Allan Lopez
Gabion Walls and Bamboo Structure Create a Self-Sufficient Mountain Habitat
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Constructed with gabion walls and bamboo, this self-sufficient mountain habitat integrates renewable energy and water management systems to provide an eco-friendly living space.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates fog catchment systems for water collection.
02
Utilizes recycled plastic bottles in the water storage design.
03
Features a vertical axis wind turbine integrated into the structure.
04
Employs local stones in gabion wall construction for site-specific aesthetics.
05
Design supports biogas production from organic waste for energy.

## Project Overview

The Mountain Hut is situated in a mountainous region and is designed to function as a self-sufficient living space that emphasizes sustainable energy and water systems. The project prioritizes ecological responsibility by aligning its design with local climate dynamics and resource availability. It serves as a model for responsible architecture, integrating functionality with an awareness of environmental impact.

## Water Management System

The water management system is designed to efficiently harness local resources. It features fog catchment systems that collect moisture through specially installed mesh, enabling the retrieval of water from the environment. Grey water recycling mechanisms have been included to minimize waste and promote sustainability. Infrastructure components have been meticulously designed to ensure optimal operation, incorporating containers for both potable and non-potable water.

## Energy Generation Strategy

The energy generation strategy is anchored in renewable sources. Photovoltaic solar panels are strategically positioned to track sunlight and maximize solar energy collection, while a vertical axis wind turbine adds another layer of renewable energy capture. This dual approach reflects a robust commitment to energy efficiency.

## Material Selection and Spatial Organization

Material selection plays a crucial role in the hut's design integrity, with an emphasis on sustainability. Bamboo serves as a primary structural element due to its lightweight and resilient properties, while gabion walls, constructed from local stones, provide stability and connect the structure to its geological context. Additionally, the interior layout features interconnected spaces that promote accessibility and facilitate social interaction among occupants, incorporating natural light and ventilation for enhanced user experience.

Focal points in the design include stained glass panels and a wooden façade, which create exterior texture and color. Special attention to the cohesive relationship between interior and exterior elements reinforces the hut's integration with its surroundings, reflecting principles of ecological sustainability.

Key innovations include a solar panel tracking system for enhanced energy capture and provisions for biogas digestion systems to manage organic waste effectively. The multifunctional design additionally supports community resilience by fostering social interaction within a framework of renewable energy and sustainable living practices.

### Materials Used
- Bamboo
- Gabion baskets (filled with local stones)
- Photovoltaic solar panels
- Vertical axis wind turbine
- Recycled plastic bottles
- Light steel for framework
- Fiberglass for structural components
- Straw and grass bales for insulation
- Heating elements for snow melting on roofs

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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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 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
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

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 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
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