Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Perforated Aluminum Facade with Integrated Solar Panels in a Community-Centric Structure

Author:
Jessica Smillie
Perforated Aluminum Facade with Integrated Solar Panels in a Community-Centric Structure
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Incorporating a perforated aluminum facade and solar panels, the design provides a sustainable and engaging hub for community activities near Lake Mývatn.
5 key facts about this project
01
Perforated aluminum panels enhance natural ventilation while allowing light ingress.
02
The design incorporates rainwater harvesting systems for sustainable water management.
03
A greenhouse space supports local agriculture and education initiatives.
04
Solar panels are seamlessly integrated into the roof structure for energy efficiency.
05
Curvilinear forms reflect the region's volcanic landscape and natural topography.

The Lake Mývatn Community House in Iceland represents a well-considered architectural project focused on sustainability and community connection. The design seeks to enhance the local environment and offer a multifunctional space that caters to both residents and visitors. Positioned near Lake Mývatn, the structure utilizes natural topography to create a building that blends seamlessly with its surroundings.

The functional layout of the community house is integral to its design. It incorporates spaces for public gatherings, educational programs, and sustainable projects. Primary areas include a reception hall, meeting rooms, a greenhouse for local agriculture education, and facilities dedicated to recycling and waste management. These essential components serve to promote a communal atmosphere while addressing ecological concerns.

One unique aspect of this architectural project is the integration of both rectilinear and curvilinear forms. The geometric designs echo the volcanic landscape and the fluidity of water in the region. This visual language creates a dialogue between the built environment and the natural world, enhancing the site's overall character while ensuring users feel connected to their surroundings.

Material selection is another distinguishing feature. The project employs local and sustainable materials such as aluminum, glass, steel, and specialized insulation to achieve energy efficiency and durability. The use of perforated aluminum and glazed curtain walls further allows for natural light and ventilation, reducing energy consumption. Strategic placement of solar panels enhances the building's sustainability profile, contributing to renewable energy production.

This project emphasizes a commitment to a circular economy through its design. Incorporating rainwater harvesting systems and dedicated recycling areas allows the community house to reduce its environmental footprint, while also fostering community engagement with sustainable practices. The design not only meets functional needs but also encourages environmentally conscious behavior among its users.

Architectural plans and sections of the Lake Mývatn Community House provide further insight into the design's functionality and sustainability strategies. Those interested in exploring architectural ideas and innovations in community-focused design will find the presentation materials insightful, illustrating how architecture can effectively respond to both local context and global sustainability challenges. Explore the project presentation for more details on how these architectural designs contribute to an improved community and environment.

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