Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Steel Framework Elevates Modular Office Tower Above Rising Waters

Authors:
Kwan Siu Wa Edwin, Cheuk Ho Chuen Rex, Hui Wing Fung Max
Steel Framework Elevates Modular Office Tower Above Rising Waters
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Built on a steel framework above rising sea levels, the modular tower integrates extensive glazing to enhance natural light, providing a flexible office environment while addressing environmental challenges in Hong Kong’s bustling central business district.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed on water to avoid land limitations.
02
Incorporates modular design for operational flexibility.
03
Utilizes large glazing for maximum natural light.
04
Features undersea tunnels connecting existing towers.
05
Designed to adapt to future sea-level rise.

The Resilient Twin stands in Hong Kong’s central business district, designed to confront the challenges of climate change and rising sea levels. This office tower is constructed on the sea, offering a modern approach to urban development in a densely populated area. The design not only connects with the landscape but also emphasizes adaptability and resilience for future urban life.

Adaptability and Modularity

The project features independent modules that function on their own within a larger framework. Each module has a height of 5.75 meters, allowing various arrangements and uses. These modules link together through centralized cores, improving movement within the building and supporting the overall structure effectively.

Natural Light and Ergonomics

Each office area includes an 18-meter depth, equipped with large windows that allow natural light to fill the space. This focus on natural lighting enhances the working environment, which can lead to better employee comfort and productivity. By prioritizing daylight, the design promotes a healthier atmosphere for those who work inside.

Retail and Conventional Center

Located within the tower, the retail and conventional center is made up of six stories. This space serves as a place for interaction and community engagement. With open atriums, it offers opportunities for various retail experiences and activities. This part of the building adds life and energy, creating a vibrant atmosphere that complements the office setting.

External Structure and Resilience

The design includes an external steel framework that supports the office modules. This framework helps the building withstand environmental stresses. As sea levels continue to rise, the structural choices will maintain the building’s functionality. The focus on resilience shows a commitment to responsible urban design, suited for changing conditions.

The Resilient Twin reflects a thoughtful solution to urban challenges, balancing its maritime location with functionality. The design elements together create a space that prioritizes both utility and a connection to the surrounding area, marked by careful choices in layout and structure.

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 Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
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
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

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
Rome 
Rain Rooms

Design a rain room for Rome

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 14 January 2026
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
Iceland 
Slow Sauna

Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 28 January 2026
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
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

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
Advance registration deadline 14 January 2026
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
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
Advance registration deadline 22 January 2026
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
Final registration deadline 4 February 2026
new
MICROHOME 2026

Design a new concept of small-scale home and share a prize fund of 100,000€

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 11 February 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