Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Natural Insulation from Date Palm Wood and Biophilic Elements in a Modern Residential Oasis

Natural Insulation from Date Palm Wood and Biophilic Elements in a Modern Residential Oasis
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Crafted with date palm wood for natural insulation and integrated with lush biophilic elements, the design offers a modern residential oasis that prioritizes sustainable living and a strong connection to nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted with date palm wood, providing natural insulation and connecting to local heritage.
02
Features a central courtyard that enhances natural light and cross ventilation throughout the home.
03
Incorporates water features in the landscape, promoting biodiversity and enhancing outdoor aesthetics.
04
Utilizes a modular date palm beam panel system, allowing for future adaptability in design.
05
Blends modern elements with traditional materials, emphasizing sustainability in urban living.

### Overview

Located in Dubai, UAE, the Al-Oasis House exemplifies contemporary architectural design informed by the region's natural heritage and traditional building methods. The project aims to create a living environment that integrates cultural representation with modern functionality, serving as a tranquil refuge within the urban context. The design reflects a commitment to sustainability, privacy, and communal connectivity, while embracing the concept of an "oasis," providing a calming retreat from the surrounding environment.

### Materiality and Sustainability

The architectural identity of the Al-Oasis House is defined by the strategic selection of materials that harmonize with the local context:

1. **Date Palm Wood**: This material features prominently in the exterior, offering natural insulation while paying tribute to the area's architectural roots.

2. **White Stucco**: Utilized in interiors, it aids temperature control and provides a modern aesthetic that complements the organic finish of the palm wood.

3. **Glass**: Expansive glazed sections facilitate abundant natural light, enhancing the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.

4. **Polished Stone**: Dark polished stone in the interior spaces reflects the calming qualities of nearby water elements, contributing to the overall serene atmosphere.

5. **Structural Steel**: Employed in critical structural elements, this material adds modernity and stability to the overall design.

6. **Landscaping**: The integration of greenery and palm trees fosters biodiversity and creates shaded microclimates around the residence.

### Spatial Organization

The Al-Oasis House features a carefully articulated layout across two levels, designed to balance communal and private spaces effectively:

- **Ground Floor**: An open-plan design incorporates living, dining, and social areas, with a central courtyard that allows natural light and airflow to enhance usability. Practical considerations are met with three car slots that blend aesthetic appeal with functionality.

- **First Floor**: This level is dedicated to private living quarters, with careful positioning to ensure privacy while maintaining visual connections to the surrounding greenery.

The project also incorporates unique elements such as integrated water bodies and a modular date palm beam panel system, promoting sustainable practices and flexible design adaptations for future needs. The design provides a balance of privacy and openness, allowing for interactive living without excessive partitioning.

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

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
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
Final registration deadline 4 February 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