Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Straw and Etfe Housing That Emphasizes Sustainable Living

Author:
Jiayi Jin
Straw and Etfe Housing That Emphasizes Sustainable Living
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Constructed with agricultural waste and enhanced by transparent ETFE pillows, this housing solution prioritizes energy efficiency and sustainable living while offering adaptable, modular spaces for community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Developed using agricultural waste, promoting eco-friendly construction methods.
02
Features transparent ETFE pillows for enhanced natural light and thermal efficiency.
03
Incorporates modular design elements to allow easy relocation and adaptability.
04
Utilizes recycled materials extensively, minimizing environmental impact.
05
Fosters community interaction through shared outdoor spaces and multifunctional interiors.

The project features two modular homes, the Wood House and the Straw House, which focus on sustainability and flexibility in design. Located in a modern context that seeks eco-friendly solutions, these homes aim to create a strong connection between the living spaces and the surrounding environment. The overall design concept emphasizes a blend of indoor and outdoor experiences, making residents feel more in tune with nature.

Wood House

The Wood House showcases a distinct facade made of shingles along with OSB sheathing. This combination provides both aesthetic appeal and structural strength. Recycled wooden boards are used throughout the home, reinforcing the commitment to sustainable practices and resource efficiency. The design meets contemporary housing needs while being considerate of ecological impacts.



Inside, the space is well thought out, featuring furniture and platforms made from pallets. This choice maximizes utility while maintaining a clean look. Mobile closets are hidden in walls, which adds to the sense of openness in the home. The design also includes folded stairs that facilitate easy movement within the space. Natural light brightens the interior thanks to recycled window frames filled with transparent ETFE pillows, which also help regulate temperature.



Straw House

The Straw House takes a different approach, using agricultural waste as the main building material. The exterior features thatch and straw board, giving it a natural, earthy appearance that connects it with the landscape. These materials not only showcase environmentally friendly choices but also reflect local building traditions that minimize waste.



Decorative elements inside the Straw House include straw basket work, which adds character to the space while highlighting craftsmanship. Balustrades made from natural straw rope and flooring treated with polyurethane complete the interior design, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The home’s passive thermal design significantly cuts down on energy use, making it a practical choice for modern living.



Both homes are modular, which allows them to adapt to various living arrangements. This flexibility addresses current urban housing challenges, encouraging smaller living spaces that promote community interaction. Each design integrates modern technology with sustainability in mind, focusing on the need for homes that provide comfort while supporting social ties. The attention to detail, such as the rattan accents in the Straw House, helps unify the interior with its natural environment.

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