Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

The Repurposed Oil Rigs Supporting Aquatic Communities with Urban Farming

Authors:
Mark Van Wasbeek, Jules Stefelmanns
The Repurposed Oil Rigs Supporting Aquatic Communities with Urban Farming
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Repurposed oil rigs form the foundation for a resilient water-based community, integrating fish farms and urban agriculture to create a sustainable habitat for future residents.
5 key facts about this project
01
Repurposed oil rigs serve as structural foundations for the community.
02
Central tower integrates multifunctional spaces for living and working.
03
Fish farms and plastic harvesting stations enhance sustainability.
04
Designed to adapt to rising sea levels and environmental changes.
05
Urban farming towers support local food production and energy generation.

The conceptual idea presents a vision for a post-sustainable urban environment set in the Netherlands in the year 2050. It addresses significant issues caused by climate change, such as rising sea levels and reduced land for agriculture. The concept revolves around a new society called Homo Maritimus, which lives on water. This community integrates residential, ecological, and technological features to create a functional and sustainable habitat.

Urban Structure

A central tower lies at the heart of the design, placed at the junction of two primary waterways. This tower serves various purposes for the water-based community. Its architectural form indicates a move toward sustainable living while acknowledging past environmental impacts. The tower acts as a center for community life, facilitating commercial activities alongside leisure spaces and promoting a lifestyle rooted in cooperation.

Community Integration

The layout encourages a close relationship between the tower and the surrounding environment. The arrangement of spaces within the tower enhances connections among residents, encouraging collaboration and resource sharing. Different zones for commercial, recreational, and residential use form a cohesive urban landscape. This organization makes the most of the available space, contributing to the overall functionality of the community while ensuring comfort for its inhabitants.

Ecological Considerations

Sustainability drives the design approach, with various ecological components included throughout the project. Surrounding the tower, there are fish farms, stations for plastic harvesting, and urban farm towers. These features highlight a commitment to environmental care. The community relies on modern agricultural techniques and renewable energy sourced from sunlight and wind, aiming for self-sufficiency in its daily operations.

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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

Kingspan MICROHOME 2026: Building Less to Create More

`
Competition organisers

The Kingspan MICROHOME 2026 competition invites architects and designers worldwide to rethink small-scale living by creating an off-grid, modular micro dwelling under 25 m². Now in its 11th edition, the contest emphasizes sustainable, innovative, and human-centered design that demonstrates how compact living can have a big impact.

With a €100,000 prize fund, entries will be evaluated for originality, efficiency, and their response to contemporary environmental and social challenges. The competition is open to everyone, with submissions allowed individually or in teams of up to four. Registration closes on 30 September 2026, and winners will be announced on 15 December 2026.

By celebrating creativity within strict limits, MICROHOME 2026 continues to push the boundaries of compact architecture and sustainable living.

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
Final registration deadline 30 September 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
New York High Falls 
Riverfront Market

Design a New Riverfront Market in Rochester, New York

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 7 October 2026
Valli Wine 
Tasting Room

Design a wine tasting room in Italy

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 8 October 2026
The 
Quiet 
Tower

Design an observation tower in Latvia

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 15 October 2026
Vancouver 
Tall Challenge

Design the future of Vancouver’s skyline

Building higher downtown ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 29 October 2026
The Oak 
Moon 
Pavilion

Design a yoga pavilion in Italy

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 5 November 2026
Portugal Long Table 
Restaurant

Design a slow-living restaurant in Portugal

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 9 December 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

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
Final registration deadline 30 September 2026
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 28 October 2026
Museum of 
Emotions

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #9 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
Advance registration deadline 12 November 2026
The 
Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Stockholm Furniture Fair Edition #6 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award + Exhibition at Stockholm Furniture Fair
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 3 December 2026
new
Buildner's Unbuilt Award

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a 50,000€ prize

50,000€ Prize / 2027 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 50,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 4 February 2027

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