Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Hexagonal Living Units with Expansive Natural Light and Adaptive Space Options

Authors:
James Arteaga, Ingrid Garcia, Tatiana Ospina, Camilo Quintero
Hexagonal Living Units with Expansive Natural Light and Adaptive Space Options
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
The hexagonal layout of these residential units maximizes natural light and adaptability, allowing for future expansions while providing essential living spaces in a compact urban setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
The design incorporates a hexagonal configuration to optimize living space and natural light.
02
Each unit is built with modular components, allowing for future expansion as needs change.
03
Openings-to-below areas enhance air circulation and light distribution throughout the interiors.
04
The layout accommodates various family types, promoting affordable urban living.
05
Strategically placed angled walls create dynamic visual relationships within the space.

The Honeycomb is a residential development located in Toronto that addresses modern housing needs through an innovative design. Its hexagonal shape not only maximizes living area but also allows for better natural light throughout the space. A focus on modular and incremental construction makes it adaptable to various urban contexts and suitable for different types of families.

Spatial Configuration

The units consist of two-storey structures, with the first floor dedicated to essential living spaces, including a living room, dining area, kitchen, and full bathroom. This setup creates an open flow that encourages interaction among family members. The second floor has a bedroom and a balcony, designed with the option for homeowners to expand their space in the future as their needs evolve.

Design Features

Incorporating openings-to-below areas enhances light distribution and promotes air circulation, making the interiors feel bright and comfortable. The angled walls and carefully placed windows not only improve the aesthetic appeal but also increase access to natural light. These design decisions ensure that each unit provides a welcoming atmosphere for residents.

Site Adaptability

Two distinct sites highlight the project’s adaptable nature. The Honeycomb on Queen functions as an infill development with nine units and one commercial space on a busy street, responding to the needs of urban living. On the other hand, the Honeycomb on Cunningham features a larger lot with fifty-six units and ten semi-covered open-space terraces, situated on a quieter residential street. This variety demonstrates the design's ability to fit within different urban environments.

Affordability and Incremental Growth

Affordability plays a crucial role in the design philosophy, creating opportunities for diverse family types to enter the housing market in Toronto. The incremental construction model allows residents to expand their living spaces over time, adapting to changing financial situations. This approach addresses the challenges posed by rising housing costs, making the project relevant to today’s housing landscape.

The design stands out with its angled walls and windows that frame views and bring in sunlight, creating a warm living environment. Each unit connects residents to their surroundings while maintaining a sense of privacy and comfort.

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