Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Sustainable Living Villa Emphasizing Local Materials and Prefabricated Construction Techniques

Sustainable Living Villa Emphasizing Local Materials and Prefabricated Construction Techniques
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Emphasizing local materials like natural stone and light-colored cement plaster, this energy-efficient villa utilizes prefabricated construction methods to create a contemporary living space that harmonizes with its semi-arid surroundings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes prefabricated construction techniques to reduce assembly time to three months.
02
Incorporates large glazing for enhanced natural light and ventilation while minimizing solar heat gain.
03
Features a green roof that supports local biodiversity and captures rainwater for irrigation.
04
Employs lightweight cement plaster for exterior finishes to reflect heat and improve energy efficiency.
05
Integrates drought-resistant native plants into landscaping to promote water conservation.

### Prefabricated Villa Project Overview

Located in a semi-arid region characterized by desert landscapes, the villa design focuses on prefabrication, cost-effectiveness, and sustainable living. The project aims to harmonize modern aesthetics with functionality while addressing the unique climatic conditions of the site, including abundant sunlight and local flora. The design intent prioritizes environmental sensitivity and adaptability, ensuring a responsive integration with its surroundings.

### Spatial Strategy

The villa features a two-story layout that balances communal and private spaces. The ground floor includes public areas such as the living room, kitchen, and Majlis, with large openings that enhance connectivity to the outdoors. The first floor is dedicated to private living quarters, promoting both privacy and comfort through strategically placed windows for optimal light and ventilation. The overall organization of spaces supports everyday living while providing views of the surrounding landscape.

### Materiality and Construction Techniques

Materials selected for the villa reflect a commitment to sustainability and modern design. The exterior utilizes smooth, light-colored cement plaster that reflects heat, while expansive glass and aluminum windows create a connection to the natural environment. Green roofing elements contribute to environmental sustainability through potential rainwater harvesting systems. For the interior, natural stone finishes are proposed for flooring, reinforcing durability and thermal comfort, complemented by wood accents that acknowledge traditional techniques within a contemporary framework.

The construction method emphasizes prefabrication, allowing for rapid assembly of structural components within an estimated three-month timeframe. This approach not only ensures quality control but also reduces labor costs and minimizes waste. The detailed assembly processes outlined in the project documentation exemplify an efficient modular approach, aligning with sustainable building practices.

### Environmental Integration

Landscaping is designed to enhance both aesthetic appeal and ecological function, incorporating native plants that require minimal irrigation and support local biodiversity. This thoughtful integration helps regulate the microclimate around the villa, contributing to the overall sustainability of the project. The villa's architecture is also characterized by large openings that maximize natural light and facilitate cross-ventilation, reducing the reliance on artificial lighting and mechanical cooling systems.

Overall, the villa represents a modern response to regional environmental challenges, blending innovative construction methods with a deep consideration for its natural setting.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

`
Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 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
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 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
Early bird registration deadline 15 October 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 16 October 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025
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
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

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