Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Scissor Truss Roof and Natural Ventilation in Modular Living

Authors:
Jordanna Ebanks, Jaya Kader, Angela Johnson
Scissor Truss Roof and Natural Ventilation in Modular Living
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
With a scissor truss roof that maximizes natural ventilation, the modular structure redefines flexible living while integrating sustainable features such as rainwater harvesting and photovoltaic systems.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular design allows for easy expansion with additional modules.
02
Scissor truss roof system enhances structural stability and ventilation.
03
Rainwater harvesting integrated with a UV filtration system for sustainability.
04
Flexible interior layout accommodates various user needs and preferences.
05
Local material options adapt to different climates and cultural contexts.

Regen House represents an ecological approach to modular home design, focusing on simplicity and adaptability. Located in varied geographical settings, the project caters to the modern need for residential structures that integrate with their surroundings while providing functional living spaces. It encourages flexibility and customization, allowing residents to shape their homes according to personal requirements.

Structural Framework

The framework of Regen House uses standard dimensional wood, joined together to create structural integrity similar to heavy timber frame construction. Each column consists of four 4x4 posts that rest on concrete piers, forming a solid foundation for the structure. Running parallel to the building, 4x12 beams at each floor level support the overall load and maintain stability. A 4x10 beam is installed perpendicularly above the lower beam, alongside 2x10 floor joists. This configuration results in a strong and reliable structural system.

Roof Design and Ventilation

An important feature of Regen House is its roof structure, which employs a scissor truss system made from 2x10 and 2x8 members. This design not only shapes the building's profile but also enhances its thermal performance. An open screen system facilitates natural ventilation, allowing air to flow freely and reduce the need for mechanical cooling. The roof provides shading, promoting a comfortable indoor environment while ensuring efficient air circulation.

Adaptability and Sustainability

Regen House is designed for adaptability, allowing for the addition of modules to expand the living space. The base model can shift from a one-bedroom, one-bath layout to a two-bedroom, two-bath configuration by integrating additional modules. Sustainable features, such as rainwater harvesting systems and photovoltaic panels, support efficient resource use and energy independence. Rainwater can be collected and treated using a UV filtration system, further enhancing the project's commitment to sustainability.

Local Context Integration

The design of Regen House integrates well with its local context, maintaining a consistent core structure while allowing for variations in finishes based on geographic location. For homes in Southeast Asia, this could include bamboo walls and thatched roofs that are suited to the climate. In contrast, colder regions like Oregon would benefit from thicker insulation and robust siding to protect against harsh winter weather. This focus on local materials fosters a strong connection between the structure and its environment.

The thoughtful integration of features and structural elements illustrates a comprehensive approach to modern living spaces. Regen House stands as a model of how architecture can respond to both individual needs and environmental challenges, creating a balanced and practical habitat.

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