Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Geothermal Observatory Tower with Sunpipes for Enhanced Community Engagement

Authors:
Riccardo Renzi, Elena Ceccarelli, Virginia Vivona, Diego Betti
Geothermal Observatory Tower with Sunpipes for Enhanced Community Engagement
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
At the heart of the design lies a geothermal observatory tower, which utilizes sunpipes to optimize natural light while serving as a community hub for exploration and learning.
5 key facts about this project
01
Geothermal heating and cooling systems enhance energy efficiency.
02
Sunpipes provide optimal natural lighting throughout the building.
03
Observatory tower facilitates night-time celestial observations.
04
Flexible spaces accommodate diverse community activities.
05
Green roof design promotes stormwater management.

The design brings together functionality, accessibility, and sustainability in an urban setting. The layout is carefully organized to facilitate movement for both public visitors and private users. The focus on incorporating natural light and creating spaces for community interaction creates an environment that fosters well-being for its occupants.

Access and Circulation

Clearly defined paths guide movement throughout the space. Pedestrian streets and designated parking for cars and buses are thoughtfully arranged to promote safe transit. These access points help reduce traffic and enhance safety. The careful planning makes navigation intuitive, allowing visitors to move freely within the area.

Functional Diversity

The design includes various functional spaces that cater to different activities. There are external courts, an information center, coworking areas, private offices, meeting rooms, and an observatory. This range of functions allows for flexible use of the building, making it adaptable to various needs. Open areas encourage social engagement and bring people together, highlighting the intention to foster a sense of community.

Sustainable Strategies

Sustainability is a key feature of the design. The project incorporates energy-efficient strategies to minimize environmental impact. For instance, specific plans for solar exposure consider seasonal changes, helping to optimize energy use. Geothermal pipes are included for heating and cooling, reducing reliance on conventional energy sources. This design thoughtfully addresses energy efficiency while enhancing comfort for users.

Material Considerations

The choice of materials is an important aspect of the design. Sunpipes, made with triple glass and thermal break aluminum, maximize natural light in the space. A green roof is designed to manage stormwater effectively, contributing to better insulation. Prefabricated concrete panels are used for the facade, offering structural efficiency as well as thermal benefits. These materials work together to create a cohesive and functional building.

The observatory serves as a central point for community engagement, inviting visitors to connect with their surroundings and observe celestial events. This focus on interaction with nature enhances the overall experience and emphasizes the project's commitment to creating meaningful spaces within an urban context.

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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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
The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

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 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