Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Himalayan Mountain Hut Featuring Reinforced Concrete and Large Glass Facades for Natural Light

Authors:
Anna Głąbicka, Magdalena Grzegorzewska
Himalayan Mountain Hut Featuring Reinforced Concrete and Large Glass Facades for Natural Light
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Constructed with reinforced concrete and expansive glass facades to optimize natural light, the Himalayan mountain hut provides a functional retreat for trekkers while seamlessly integrating with its rugged environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with reinforced concrete for enhanced seismic resilience in the Himalayan region.
02
Large glass facades promote natural light and offer expansive views of the surrounding landscape.
03
Incorporates a bent A-frame design that efficiently sheds snow and supports thermal performance.
04
Interior finishes utilize locally sourced wood to merge modern design with traditional aesthetics.
05
Equipped with solar panels to ensure energy efficiency and sustainability in a remote location.

### Project Overview
Located in the Himalayan region, the design of the mountain hut, known as "BREATH," is developed with the intent to harmonize with its natural surroundings while addressing both functional and cultural needs. The architectural approach integrates traditional Himalayan design elements with contemporary construction techniques, creating a structure that serves as both shelter and a reflection of the local environment. Extensive design diagrams and plans illustrate a commitment to ecological awareness and structural integrity, ensuring the building is well-suited for the challenges of its mountainous context.

### Spatial Organization and User Engagement
The spatial configuration of the hut is methodically arranged across three levels to optimize functionality and user experience. The first floor accommodates communal facilities, including a dining area, kitchen, and social spaces, fostering interaction among visitors. The second floor is designated for private quarters, with guest and staff bedrooms designed to ensure comfort and privacy. On the third floor, an observatory and administrative area provide panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, enhancing the connection between the occupants and the environment. The design facilitates an inviting atmosphere while balancing the need for private retreats.

### Material Selection and Sustainability
The material palette is chosen to prioritize sustainability and resilience against the region's climatic challenges. Reinforced concrete forms the primary structural framework, offering strength against seismic activity, while large glass surfaces enhance natural light and energy efficiency. Wood is employed for interior finishes, creating warmth and echoing traditional craftsmanship, while steel supports the renewable energy features, including solar panels. This thoughtful material selection not only ensures durability and safety but also visually integrates the hut with its mountainous backdrop, emphasizing a commitment to environmental responsibility.

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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
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
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

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
Rome 
Rain Rooms

Design a rain room for Rome

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 14 January 2026
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
Iceland 
Slow Sauna

Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 28 January 2026
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
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

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
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
Advance registration deadline 22 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