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 Walls and Shipping Containers Creating Sustainable Community Living

Authors:
Lowell Lo, Lowell Lo, Shanna-kay Smith, Domitillah Antoinee
Rammed Earth Walls and Shipping Containers Creating Sustainable Community Living
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Rammed earth walls and shipping containers combine to create adaptable living spaces that foster community engagement and sustainable practices in urban housing.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth walls provide significant thermal mass for climate control.
02
The use of shipping containers allows for quick assembly and adaptability.
03
Upper-level bedrooms feature direct access to outdoor terraces.
04
Community gardens within the greenhouse encourage local food production.
05
The design incorporates outboard insulation to enhance energy efficiency.

The project focuses on using shipping containers to create affordable housing solutions. It takes place in an urban environment where the demand for efficient living spaces is high. This initiative explores three distinct concepts that prioritize sustainability and adaptability, aiming to meet contemporary housing needs. The designs incorporate a practical structure that balances functionality with communal living aspects.

Concept One: The 3 Containers Laneway House

The first concept presents a configuration of three shipping containers. Two containers are arranged at ground level, while one is stacked above them. This setup results in a compact 1-bedroom dwelling. One container serves as the utility space, containing a washroom, kitchen, and stair access. The adjacent container acts as the main living area. The upper container functions as a master bedroom and includes a terrace for outdoor access. Outboard insulation is used to improve temperature control in colder climates, and openings are limited to maintain the containers' structural integrity.

Concept Two: The 4 Containers Greenhouse Courtyard Rural House

For the second concept, four shipping containers form a residential layout, which includes two bedrooms and a glass greenhouse. Rammed earth walls create a protective U-shaped structure around the greenhouse. These walls provide thermal mass, helping to regulate indoor temperatures, particularly during colder nights and winter months. A stair enclosure features operable windows connected to the greenhouse, allowing warm air to escape in the summer. This design promotes natural ventilation and creates a pleasant interior climate throughout the year.

Concept Three: The Colony of Containers with Greenhouses as 'Earthenhip' Community

The third concept envisions a colony of containers arranged side by side to foster a community-centered living experience. Similar to the second design, rammed earth walls are used to enhance the thermal mass, creating comfortable gathering spaces during winter. The layout encourages the cultivation of organic food within the greenhouse areas, promoting self-sufficiency among residents. This design emphasizes shared resources and addresses the needs for affordable housing while supporting sustainable living through communal areas.

The use of shipping containers and rammed earth walls highlights a commitment to innovative housing solutions. These materials allow for comfortable living arrangements that complement the environment. Unique access to outdoor terraces from the upper-level bedroom creates spaces for relaxation and provides views of the surrounding area.

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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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 Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5

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
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 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
Early bird registration deadline 15 October 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 16 October 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
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
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

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