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 Monoliths Featuring Laminated Timber and Anodized Aluminum for Geological Experience

Author:
Ioannis Diaskoufis
Sustainable Monoliths Featuring Laminated Timber and Anodized Aluminum for Geological Experience
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Constructed with anodized aluminum and laminated timber, the monolithic structures provide striking viewpoints that educate visitors about the unique geological landscape while enhancing the overall tourism experience.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with anodized aluminum to enhance durability and aesthetics in a harsh environment.
02
Laminated timber is used for both structural integrity and warmth, creating a visually appealing contrast.
03
Solar chimneys are integrated for passive ventilation, promoting energy efficiency throughout the structure.
04
Walking path modules elevate foot traffic, protecting sensitive vegetation while guiding visitor flow.
05
The observation platforms are designed to offer unobstructed views of the surrounding geological features.

The Igneous Monoliths project represents a thoughtful architectural response to the geological and environmental characteristics of its site near significant formations in Iceland. It is designed as a tourism infrastructure that integrates seamlessly with the landscape while promoting sustainable practices. The architecture consists of a series of structures that provide services for visitors while showcasing the surrounding natural beauty. The project emphasizes minimal disruption to the existing environment, highlighting a commitment to ecological responsibility.

The primary function of the Igneous Monoliths is to enhance visitor experience in a geologically rich area, facilitating engagement with the landscape. The design includes walking path modules that guide visitors through the terrain, ensuring a protected experience that minimizes damage to sensitive areas. The elevation of these pathways allows for unobtrusive exploration without direct ground contact, reinforcing the focus on sustainability.

The architectural components of the project are marked by significant design details. The three monolithic structures serve as viewing platforms, allowing visitors to appreciate the expansive vistas of the local geology. These structures are constructed using black anodized aluminum and laminated timber, materials selected for their durability and compatibility with the local environment. They feature solar chimneys that not only enhance natural ventilation but also contribute to energy efficiency, presenting an approach to passive climate control.

Material selection throughout the project plays a crucial role in its integration with the landscape. The use of acrylic finishes enhances the reflective qualities of the structures, allowing them to respond dynamically to the surrounding light conditions. The resin-bound gravel used for walking paths complements natural elements while ensuring proper drainage and maintenance of the ecological balance.

A unique aspect of the Igneous Monoliths is the emphasis on its educational potential. The design incorporates information points that provide visitors with insights into the geological history of the area. The combination of interpretative spaces and practical amenities, such as a café and resting areas, supports a holistic visitor experience that integrates learning with leisure.

In summary, the Igneous Monoliths project is a commendable example of architecture that harmonizes with its environment while providing functional amenities for tourists. To explore more about the architectural plans, sections, designs, and ideas, viewers are encouraged to delve deeper into the project presentation for comprehensive insights into this thoughtfully conceived architectural endeavor.

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