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 with Latticework and Cigs Technology

Authors:
Lindsay Hu, Erin Liu, Joyce Gu, Charlie Colasurdo
Sustainable Living with Latticework and Cigs Technology
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Constructed with a lattice framework of recycled Ulin wood and powered by CIGS solar technology, this community-focused complex promotes sustainable living through shared spaces and eco-friendly practices.
5 key facts about this project
01
Lattice framework uses recycled Ulin wood for sustainable construction.
02
CIGS solar technology provides renewable energy directly on rooftops.
03
Communal spaces encourage interaction and shared living experiences.
04
Integrated green walls enhance biodiversity and manage stormwater.
05
Elevated design mitigates flooding risks in the urban setting.

The G-Hub is located in Surabaya, Indonesia, designed to accommodate the growing housing needs of the city's creative workforce. It is a quasi-public, off-grid complex that emphasizes communal living and environmentally friendly practices. Inspired by the Javanese idea of "guyub," which highlights community connections, the design promotes a sense of belonging while integrating shared amenities and sustainable energy solutions.

Lattice Structure and Materiality

The design features a lattice framework made from small, identical wooden building blocks connected by secure fasteners. This approach allows for mass production using recycled Ulin wood, aligning with sustainability goals. The use of regional materials not only minimizes the project's carbon footprint but also enhances its connection to the local context. The visual quality of the lattice adds a unique character, marrying form and function.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

CIGS (copper indium gallium diselenide) thin-film solar cells are positioned on the roofs of each microhome, providing a reliable source of renewable energy. This technology is both efficient and eco-friendly, ensuring that the energy generated meets or exceeds the needs of the residents. The design is based on sound calculations about energy production, creating a self-sufficient living environment that reflects a commitment to ecological considerations.

Community-Centric Design

Key to the G-Hub is its communal spaces designed to encourage interaction among residents. Shared facilities, including a kitchen, indoor and outdoor seating, and a library, are thoughtfully arranged to promote social engagement. This layout increases flexibility, allowing spaces to be used for both individual and group activities. The focus is on fostering an active lifestyle and strong community ties.

Natural Light and Ventilation

Inside, natural light floods the microhomes thanks to numerous windows and skylights. This thoughtful design enhances the atmosphere while ensuring adequate ventilation throughout the spaces. Such features not only make the homes feel more spacious but also support residents' comfort in Surabaya's warm climate. The architectural choices greatly contribute to overall livability.

The design further incorporates green walls that enhance the visual appeal of the buildings. These vertical gardens provide ecological benefits, aiding in stormwater management and supporting local wildlife. By integrating these natural elements into the urban environment, the G-Hub promotes a harmonious relationship between architecture and nature.

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
Concrete 
Pavilion

Design a concrete pavilion

Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
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

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 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
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