Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Subterranean Rest Stop Crafted from Rammed Earth and Integrated Solar Panels

Author:
Rhett Heuer-rubalcava
Subterranean Rest Stop Crafted from Rammed Earth and Integrated Solar Panels
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Constructed using rammed earth and designed to harmonize with the landscape, the facility serves as a practical rest stop for cyclists on the EuroVelo route.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed primarily with rammed earth for natural insulation and durability.
02
The structure is designed to integrate seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.
03
Utilizes solar panels for renewable energy generation on-site.
04
Features accessible, flexible spaces tailored for diverse cyclist needs.
05
Incorporates natural lighting through strategically placed glass elements.

The EuroVelo 6 Rest Stop is an architectural project designed specifically to serve cyclists traversing the EuroVelo bike routes in central Europe. The facility enhances the travel experience by providing essential amenities in an environmentally sensitive manner. The project represents modern architectural principles that intertwine functionality with sustainability, offering a practical retreat for users along their journey.

The primary function of the EuroVelo 6 Rest Stop is to serve as a resting area, equipped with necessary facilities such as restrooms, information kiosks, and seating areas. The design emphasizes accessibility and user comfort, ensuring it fulfills the needs of a diverse range of cyclists. Located strategically along the bike path, the rest stop facilitates convenience while promoting an enjoyable experience in nature.

The architectural design of the EuroVelo 6 Rest Stop incorporates several unique approaches that differentiate it from conventional rest areas. One of its most notable features is the subterranean design, which allows the structure to blend into the surrounding landscape. This design choice minimizes visual disruption and reduces the building's environmental impact by using earth's natural insulating properties.

Another distinct aspect of this project is its materiality. The predominant use of rammed earth as a construction material not only enhances thermal efficiency but also connects the building visually and environmentally to the ground it occupies. Additionally, the integration of solar panels in the roof design underscores a commitment to renewable energy, aiding in the reduction of the facility's carbon footprint.

The layout of the facility is modular, which allows for flexibility in accommodating various user needs. This adaptability ensures the space can be effectively utilized for multiple purposes, making it suitable for a wide range of visitors. Natural light is maximized through strategically placed glass elements, providing a bright and inviting interior while minimizing energy costs.

The EuroVelo 6 Rest Stop exemplifies a thoughtful architectural response to the growing demand for sustainable recreational facilities. By focusing on harmony with natural surroundings, accessibility for all users, and responsible material choices, this project outlines a clear vision for modern architecture that prioritizes environmental stewardship.

For those interested in a detailed exploration of this architectural project, the architectural plans, sections, and designs reveal deeper insights into the design ideologies and practical implementations that define the EuroVelo 6 Rest Stop. Engaging with these elements provides a comprehensive understanding of how thoughtful architecture can enhance not only functionality but also the overall experience of its users.

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