Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Rammed Earth Retreat Elevated Above a Cliff with Natural Light Atriums

Authors:
Artemis Papakosta, Alexandros Iakovakis
Rammed Earth Retreat Elevated Above a Cliff with Natural Light Atriums
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Elevated above a cliff, this yoga retreat employs rammed earth construction and integrates natural light atriums to create a tranquil space for meditation and practice.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated yoga studio offers panoramic sunset views.
02
Incorporates three gardens to enhance indoor-outdoor connection.
03
Constructed with locally sourced rammed earth for sustainability.
04
Features atriums that illuminate spaces with natural light.
05
Layout symbolizes the journey of yoga practice through a central hallway.

The Yoga House on a Cliff is situated in a striking location that features diverse topography and natural beauty, designed as a space for yoga and meditation. Its layout is intended to create an atmosphere of calm and introspection, encouraging users to connect deeply with their practice and the surrounding environment. The design concept prioritizes harmony between the built form and nature, offering a unique experience for those who visit.

Architecture Concept

The design reflects the principles of yoga, where the connection between body and mind is essential. A central hallway is a significant element of the layout, symbolizing the journey experienced during yoga practice. The simplicity of the building’s geometry helps to create a tranquil atmosphere, inviting users to engage in self-reflection as they navigate the space.

Natural Integration

The integration of the building with its natural setting is a notable aspect of the design. Open spaces with large windows and glass doors facilitate the flow of natural light and provide views of the external landscape. The yoga studio is elevated above the cliff, allowing for wide views to the west. This orientation captures the beauty of the sunset, creating a serene backdrop for practice. The elevation helps users feel a sense of separation from the bustling world, focusing their attention inward.

Functional Spaces

The layout includes three accessible gardens and patios that enhance the connection between indoor and outdoor areas. Moving through the central hallway leads to practical spaces such as changing rooms and showers, making it easy for visitors to transition from one area to another. The arrangement of these spaces has been designed to support the needs of yoga practitioners while maintaining a logical and comfortable flow throughout the building.

Materiality

Rammed earth is the primary building material, selected for its local availability and sustainability. Using this material connects the structure to the landscape, grounding it in the environment. Concrete is used in specific areas, particularly in the showers, where moisture management is essential. The warmth of wood is evident in the flooring and furniture, adding a natural touch that complements the overall design without overwhelming it.

One noteworthy feature of the Yoga House is the presence of ceiling atriums that allow light to filter in while providing views of the sky. This design detail enriches the interior space and keeps users aware of their surroundings. It encourages a feeling of openness and tranquility, perfectly suited for yoga and meditation.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

`
Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025
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

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