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 Creating Connection with Landscape in a Vineyard Tasting Room

Authors:
Candice Ogando, Devki Desai, Julie Gordonson
Rammed Earth Walls Creating Connection with Landscape in a Vineyard Tasting Room
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Utilizing locally sourced rammed earth, the design seamlessly integrates with its vineyard surroundings, providing an immersive space for wine tasting that highlights the connection between environment and experience.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth walls utilize local clay limestone, providing both structural integrity and thermal mass.
02
Panoramic windows offer unobstructed views of the surrounding vineyards, enhancing visitor engagement.
03
The design incorporates an angular roof for improved natural ventilation and aesthetic appeal.
04
Geothermal systems are integrated for sustainable temperature control throughout the year.
05
Rainwater harvesting is implemented for irrigation and non-potable uses, promoting resource efficiency.

The architectural design project, "Terroir: From Earth to Form," is a wine tasting room located at Monte D'Oro. This structure embodies the relationship between wine production and the concept of terroir, reflecting the local environment's influence on the flavors of wine. The design focuses on creating an engaging experience for visitors, allowing them to connect with the vineyard surroundings while enjoying the wine.

The primary function of this architecture is to provide a dedicated space for wine tasting, equipped to accommodate different group sizes and events. It serves as an educational venue where visitors can learn about the winemaking process and the significance of the vineyard ecosystem in wine quality. The design promotes interaction between guests and their environment, making use of panoramic windows that frame views of the grapevines.

The project utilizes specific materials and design elements that distinguish it from typical wine tasting rooms. The use of rammed earth as a primary construction material results in walls that are not only structurally sound but also visually and texturally appealing. Local clay limestone is used to create varying hues, reinforcing the connection to the site's geology. This material provides excellent insulation, enhancing the building's energy efficiency.

The roof's angular form contributes to the architectural identity of the structure while facilitating natural ventilation, which is critical for comfort in a space designed for social engagement. Large, operable windows allow for cross-ventilation and maximize daylight, emphasizing the relationship between the indoor space and the outdoor vineyard landscape.

Sustainability features are central to the design approach. Incorporation of geothermal systems for heating and cooling reduces energy requirements. Rainwater harvesting systems are implemented for landscape irrigation and restroom usage, promoting water conservation. The use of energy-efficient fixtures throughout the space ensures minimal environmental impact during operation.

Distinctively, this project emphasizes a sense of place and cultural relevance, utilizing local materials and traditional building practices to create a meaningful space for wine tasting. It fosters an appreciation for the local terroir by allowing visitors to experience the vineyard's essence in a hands-on manner.

To gain deeper insights into this project, the exploration of architectural plans, architectural sections, and architectural designs will provide a comprehensive understanding of its innovative approaches and unique architectural ideas. An in-depth review of these elements will illustrate how this design represents a thoughtful synthesis of functionality and local context.

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