Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Suspended Sphere Crafted from Rigid Tarpaulin in a Tranquil Meditation Retreat

Author:
Vladimír Mulík
Suspended Sphere Crafted from Rigid Tarpaulin in a Tranquil Meditation Retreat
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
An elevated sphere suspended from a unique pully system integrates a rigid tarpaulin membrane, creating a calming environment that invites users to engage in meditation and mindfulness practices.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated structure using a pully system for weight distribution.
02
Transparent membrane enhances light and visual connection to nature.
03
Spherical design promotes collective resonance during meditation.
04
Dedicated altar for flower therapy integrated within the cabin.
05
Wind energy utilized to induce calming swinging movement.

The Tiny Kiwi Meditation Cabin is situated in a natural environment designed to foster mental and physical well-being through engagement in meditation. The design focuses on creating an immersive experience that utilizes elements from the natural world, such as wind and vibrations. The aim is to provide a calm retreat where individuals can find peace and reconnect with themselves.

Spherical Structure

The cabin features a spherical geometric design, which allows for the suspension of a transparent membrane. This membrane, made from a rigid tarpaulin, is crucial for stabilizing the internal space during meditation and other activities. Its transparent nature maintains a visual link with the outside world while promoting a sense of introspection. As occupants move, vibrations travel through the membrane, creating a shared resonance that enhances the group meditation experience.

Dynamic Movement

A notable aspect of the cabin is the incorporation of swinging movement, called the "Tiny Kiwi movement." This dynamic feature is designed to create a calming effect that aids in relaxation and focus. Incorporating physical movement into the meditation space addresses the belief that such movement can assist in achieving mental serenity. The result is an environment that encourages deep reflection and mindfulness.

Structural Elements

The construction consists of two main parts: a tripod and a suspended sphere. This dual design provides stability while offering a light and elevated appearance. The structure utilizes a system of pulleys connected to concrete footings to support the sphere's weight. This method reduces direct contact with the tripod, giving users a sense of levitation that enhances the overall meditative experience.

Natural Integration

The design includes an altar that captures sunlight during the year, serving as a focal point for activities like flower therapy. This feature strengthens the connection between the inside space and the surrounding environment, marking the passage of time and seasonal changes. The altar not only has therapeutic purposes but also adds an important design element that encourages interaction with nature, aligning with the cabin's aim of promoting tranquility and connection.

Interior spaces are carefully arranged to create a welcoming atmosphere that supports meditation, reflection, and personal development. The harmonious blend of light and movement throughout the cabin invites users to embrace moments of stillness and contemplation.

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