Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Repurposed Tennis Courts and Flexible Layouts Foster Community Living

Authors:
Audrey Leonore Lopez, Elliot Dunton, Bob Mcdougall, Thom Mclaughlin
Repurposed Tennis Courts and Flexible Layouts Foster Community Living
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Repurposing underutilized tennis courts into flexible residential units, the design prioritizes community integration and adaptive living arrangements to address Melbourne's housing needs.
5 key facts about this project
01
Repurposes underutilized tennis courts into multi-family residences.
02
Promotes communal living through shared amenities like co-working spaces and kitchens.
03
Utilizes a fixed service core for flexible unit configurations.
04
Integrates principles of passive design for energy efficiency.
05
Focuses on increasing housing density in established suburban areas.

The design aims to address Melbourne’s housing affordability issue by introducing innovative infill housing solutions in the city’s middle suburbs. Located in areas with underused spaces like tennis courts and large backyards, the project intends to transform these underutilized zones into multi-family residences. The overall design concept emphasizes increasing the number of housing units while fostering community and encouraging interaction among a range of residents, from families to singles and students.

Infill Housing Potential

Maximizing the use of spare suburban spaces is at the heart of the design. By looking at tennis courts and big private yards as opportunities for new homes, it seeks to tackle housing shortages head-on. The approach questions common assumptions about property value by illustrating how these areas can not only provide homes but also contribute to community life.

Flexible Spatial Configurations

An important aspect of the design is flexibility in layout. Residential units are built around a fixed service core, allowing for different configurations that can adapt to the changing needs of residents. This modular style creates living spaces that can adjust over time, accommodating various lifestyles or family sizes, thus promoting a sustainable form of urban development.

Community Engagement Spaces

Shared areas play a significant role in the design, encouraging social connections among residents. With features such as co-working spaces, playgrounds, communal kitchens, and workshops, the layout aims to support interaction and a sense of community. These amenities are more than just facilities; they are spaces where people can come together, fostering a supportive environment for diverse residents.

Sustainability and Resource Optimization

While specific materials are not listed, the design reflects a commitment to principles of energy efficiency and low-impact living. By incorporating passive housing techniques, it aims to reduce long-term operational costs and environmental effects. Proposing an increase in housing density within established neighborhoods promotes better use of resources and infrastructure, aligning with current goals for more responsible urban growth.

The design thoughtfully brings together elements of private living and community interaction. It captures the idea of creating homes that are not only functional but also enrich the urban experience. The careful arrangement of these spaces reflects an understanding of the evolving needs of communities.

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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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

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 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