Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Thermal Efficiency Through 3d-Printed Clay and Photovoltaic Integration in Residential Design

Thermal Efficiency Through 3d-Printed Clay and Photovoltaic Integration in Residential Design
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Utilizing hydroponic clay fences and a windcatcher for passive cooling, the design enhances energy efficiency while fostering community interaction within a sustainable residential environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes a traditional *Malgaf* windcatcher for natural ventilation.
02
Incorporates hydroponic clay fences to improve air quality.
03
Employs 3D printing technology for customized clay wall construction.
04
Integrates photovoltaic panels seamlessly into the roof design.
05
Features a central patio for enhanced community interaction and cooling.

# House of Breeze

## Overview
Located in the arid landscape of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the House of Breeze integrates traditional architectural elements with modern sustainable technologies. The design aims to create a residential space that promotes eco-friendly living while addressing the climatic challenges of the region. Key principles include passive cooling and energy efficiency, achieved through careful consideration of natural ventilation and the thermal properties of materials.

## Spatial Strategy
At the core of the design is a focus on optimizing airflow and natural lighting. The layout employs simple geometric forms, evolving into a complex arrangement centered around a communal patio that encourages family interaction. The building orientation is strategically positioned to take advantage of prevailing winds, fostering a natural cooling effect throughout the interior. This approach promotes not just utility but also a sense of community within the dwelling.

### Key Architectural Elements
The façade features a dynamic composition of solid and void spaces, with semi-porous walls designed to enhance thermal performance. Palm-frond patterns serve both an aesthetic and functional role, facilitating airflow and creating a microclimate. The interior is organized into distinct zones, separating communal and private spaces, which include living areas on the ground floor and bedrooms on the upper level.

## Material Strategy
The House of Breeze utilizes locally sourced stone for external walls, creating a connection with the desert environment. Key materials include 3D printed clay bricks designed to support natural ventilation, and integrated photovoltaic panels on the roof for solar energy generation. Strategically placed glass elements enhance natural light while maintaining connectivity to the external landscape. A hydroponic clay fence not only acts as a biofilter but also contributes to aesthetic value and biodiversity, complementing the sustainable ethos of the project.

### Sustainable Systems
Innovative systems such as the El Malgaf wind-catch are employed to enhance indoor air quality by directing cooler air from upper floors to living spaces below. The commitment to sustainability is further reflected in the integration of renewable energy sources and passive cooling techniques, ensuring minimal energy consumption. The hydroponic clay fence also supports community engagement through vertical gardening initiatives, fostering a sense of collaboration and shared resources among neighbors.

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

Vancouver Tall Challenge: Building Higher Downtown

`
Competition organisers

The Vancouver Tall Challenge: Building Higher Downtown is an international architecture competition organized by Buildner in collaboration with the City of Vancouver and the University of British Columbia’s School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA). The competition invites architects, designers, planners, and creative thinkers to explore innovative approaches to tall buildings in Vancouver’s downtown core, focusing on sustainability, livability, urban density, public space, and the city’s strong connection to nature. As Vancouver continues to grow, participants are challenged to rethink how vertical development can enhance urban life and contribute to a more vibrant, inclusive, and resilient city identity.

The competition offers a total prize fund of $15,000 CAD, with winning proposals selected by an international jury of architects, planners, academics, and city-building professionals. Key dates include the final registration deadline on October 29, 2026, submission deadline on November 30, 2026, and winners announcement on January 26, 2027. Full competition details, requirements, and registration information are available at architecturecompetitions.com/VancouverTallChallenge

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

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

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