Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Rainwater-Cooled Space Enhanced by a Bamboo Cylinder for Meditation

Authors:
Mikuláš Starý, Tadeáš Starý
Rainwater-Cooled Space Enhanced by a Bamboo Cylinder for Meditation
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Equipped with a bamboo cylinder for sunlight control and a rainwater-cooled ceramic air conditioning system, the cabin offers a focused, tranquil space designed specifically for meditation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Ceramic air conditioning system utilizes harvested rainwater for cooling.
02
Bamboo cylinder provides shade while allowing plants to grow.
03
Radial wall design optimizes natural light diffusion throughout the cabin.
04
Custom-made bricks reflect local traditional building techniques.
05
Flexible rolling window system maintains connectivity with the surrounding environment.

The Meditation Cabin is located in the calm landscapes of Vale de Moses, Portugal, designed for individuals seeking spaces to meditate and reflect. The design promotes a close connection to nature, allowing users to focus on their surroundings while reducing distractions. The overall concept centers on creating an environment that supports well-being and contemplation.

Key Spaces

The cabin is divided into several functional areas, including outer and inner meditation spaces, a hall, and a massage area. Each space has a specific purpose, whether for personal reflection or group activities. This thoughtful arrangement enhances the flow of movement within the cabin, encouraging users to enjoy a peaceful experience throughout the different areas.

Light and Environment

Natural light plays an important role in the cabin's design. The structure is influenced by circadian rhythms, which dictate how sunlight enters the space. A radial wall helps to disperse light evenly, providing comfort without overheating the interior. This focus on natural illumination contributes to a warm atmosphere, creating an inviting setting for meditation and mindfulness.

Sustainable Systems

An innovative ceramic air conditioning system marks a practical commitment to sustainability. Rainwater is collected from the roof and directed into a tank, where it cools the air through specially designed bricks. This system reduces energy use and showcases the project's reliance on local resources, providing an environmentally friendly approach to comfort.

Material Expression

The facade of the cabin features custom-made bricks that reflect traditional building techniques, creating a link to the cultural heritage of the region. A bamboo cylinder stands out as a key design element, offering shade to the meditation area while allowing for the growth of plants. This design detail not only enhances the cabin's connection to its environment but also maintains a natural feel.

The inclusion of a rolling window system enhances adaptability. A large circular sliding door allows users to regulate airflow and access while ensuring the interior remains connected to the outdoor surroundings. This flexibility contributes to the overall comfort and functionality of the space.

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