Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Polyblock Construction Meets Coral-Inspired Design in a Sustainable Residential Setting

Polyblock Construction Meets Coral-Inspired Design in a Sustainable Residential Setting
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Crafted with Polyblock materials and inspired by coral formations, the design facilitates flexible living spaces that enhance both community engagement and environmental sustainability.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted using Polyblock units composed of 90% natural filler, optimizing insulation and reducing environmental impact.
02
Features a coral-inspired design that adapts fluidly to the landscape, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor experience.
03
Incorporates traditional Mashrabiyah screens to enhance privacy while allowing natural light and airflow.
04
Utilizes a Nine Square Grid layout, promoting flexible spatial configurations for various living needs.
05
Includes a landscaped roof terrace designed for leisure and community interaction, maximizing outdoor engagement.

### Project Overview

Located in Jumeirah Park, Dubai, the design integrates traditional Emirati architectural elements with contemporary aesthetics to create a living environment that reflects the region's cultural heritage. Inspired by Dubai's rapid transformation from a desert village to a modern urban landscape, the project emphasizes local materials and architectural vernacular, aiming to foster connections between residents and their environment.

### Conceptual Framework

#### Inspiration from Coral Reefs

The structural concept derives from the organic forms of coral reefs, symbolizing adaptability and growth. This is exemplified through the use of a 'poly-blocks' modular system, which allows for flexible spatial arrangements that echo the natural patterns of coral formations. The design promotes an evolving residential experience, aligning with the dynamic nature of urban life in Dubai.

### Spatial Integration and Community Focus

#### Open and Connective Design

This design prioritizes community interaction through a carefully arranged layout that encourages engagement with both private and public spaces. The façade features wavy patterns that enhance aesthetic appeal while providing practical benefits such as improved ventilation and shade. Central to the design are traditional elements like the Majlis, serving as a modern interpretation of communal gathering spaces, and Mashrabiyah, which offers privacy while facilitating airflow.

#### Organized Spatial Layout

Utilizing a 'Nine Square Grid' configuration, the spatial organization promotes both balance and versatility. Key programmatic elements include:

- **Basement**: Designated for utilities and storage.
- **Ground Floor**: Social spaces seamlessly connect with outdoor areas.
- **First Floor**: Private domains, including bedrooms, provide personal retreats.
- **Roof**: Designed for leisure and panoramic views, enhancing the living experience.

### Material Selection and Sustainability Initiatives

The construction employs innovative, sustainable materials that minimize environmental impact. Key materials include:

- **Polyblock Units**: Made from 90% natural filler and 10% binder, these units offer fire resistance and superior insulation. Their lightweight, recyclable nature contributes to sustainable construction practices.

- **Fibre Reinforced Concrete with Macrofibre**: This material enhances structural integrity while improving energy efficiency, reducing heating and cooling demands.

### Technical Specifications

1. **Polyblocks**:
- 100mm thick play-block units with various biolime coatings.
- Integrated with 200mm oak wooden battens and dense concrete blocks to enhance durability.

2. **Fibre Reinforced Concrete**:
- Utilized for both load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls, optimizing structural performance and reducing overall weight.

3. **Wooden Finishes**:
- 300mm oak battens are featured in flooring and detailing, contributing to the aesthetic and functional design elements.

The project addresses Dubai's evolving architectural identity by fusing modern design with culturally significant motifs. It emphasizes sustainability through local materials while fostering a strong sense of community amongst residents. The innovative façade design not only enhances visual appeal but also responds effectively to climatic challenges, promoting energy efficiency in everyday living.

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
Concrete 
Pavilion

Design a concrete pavilion

Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
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

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 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