Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Meditation Cabin with Epdm Grate and Rainwater Collection Systems

Authors:
Zuoda He, Bing Lu
Meditation Cabin with Epdm Grate and Rainwater Collection Systems
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
With operable slat screens and a sophisticated rainwater collection system, the cabin integrates sustainable design elements to create a tranquil retreat dedicated to meditation and wellness.
5 key facts about this project
01
Operable slat screens enhance ventilation and natural light.
02
Solar energy harvesting supports self-sufficiency.
03
Bosche aluminum frame allows for modular assembly.
04
Rainwater collection system promotes sustainable water use.
05
Dedicated spaces for wellness activities prioritize user experience.

The design for a versatile cabin is situated in a tranquil natural environment, emphasizing relaxation and mindfulness. It aims to create a space where occupants can connect with both their surroundings and themselves. The overall design concept focuses on sustainability and user experience, promoting a lifestyle that harmonizes with nature. The cabin is thoughtfully organized to offer various spaces dedicated to well-being and daily activities.

Functional Areas

The cabin’s layout presents distinct areas that cater to different activities. Separate spaces for massage and meditation are included, along with essential amenities like a counter and sink. This clear organization enables users to engage fully in their chosen activities. Open areas are complemented by operable folding slat screens and sliding glazing doors, allowing fresh air and natural light to enter. These features enhance the feeling of being integrated with the outside environment.

Structural System

Attention to the structural system ensures the cabin performs well and embraces sustainability. Key components include a water tank and electricity storage, which support independent living. The operable skylight collects daylight, reducing the need for artificial lighting. The solar energy harvesting system reinforces the design’s commitment to sustainability and lower energy consumption.

Materiality and Modularity

Material choices are significant in the cabin's design, balancing performance and appearance. The roof uses adhered EPDM aluminum grate for durability and weather resistance. Rigid insulation enhances the building’s energy efficiency. The design is modular, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly. The use of a Bosche aluminum frame enclosure system contributes to resilience and adaptability, making it suitable for various locations.

Water Management

Efficient water management integrates grey water and rainwater collection systems into the cabin's design. These methods demonstrate a commitment to using resources wisely and minimizing waste. The layout encourages interaction with the surrounding landscape while allowing for modern comforts inside.

Operable elements, such as slat screens and skylights, create a continuous link between the interior and nature. The design fosters a sense of calm and connection that resonates with occupants.

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 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 Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
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

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
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 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
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