Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Timber-Frame Retreat with Smart Glass and Solar Integration

Authors:
Raffaella Sofia Stanisz, Marcelina Daria Pilarczyk
Timber-Frame Retreat with Smart Glass and Solar Integration
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
With an octagonal form and walls of smart glass, this sustainably designed sleeping pod utilizes solar energy and innovative water management systems to create an eco-friendly retreat in the picturesque Vale de Moses.
5 key facts about this project
01
Octagonal design enhances panoramic views.
02
Smart glass walls provide adjustable light control.
03
Solar energy harnessed for heating and lighting.
04
Integrated systems reuse grey and rainwater.
05
Prefabricated elements allow for quick assembly.

LUZ NOTURNA is a thoughtfully designed sleeping pod located in Vale de Moses, a beautiful setting that enhances its connection to nature. The structure is meant to serve both as a place to rest and as a viewing platform, allowing residents to appreciate the landscape. The design focuses on sustainable living and energy efficiency while creating an inviting atmosphere for users.

Geometric Form

The octagonal shape is a key aspect of the design, providing a distinct appearance that improves the views and experiences of those inside. This unique layout invites residents to engage with the surroundings, ensuring that each angle presents a new perspective of nature. The geometry not only adds visual interest but also supports spatial interaction within the pod.

Sustainable Practices

Energy efficiency plays a significant role in the design. The pod captures solar energy during the day to provide light and warmth at night. This method reflects a dedication to ecological design principles. Additionally, systems for managing grey and rainwater are included, offering a way to reuse resources and reduce overall consumption.

Material Selection

The structure makes use of prefabricated components, featuring steel tubular beams and columns that contribute to stability. The façade incorporates smart glass technology, allowing adjustments for heat and light, benefiting users' comfort. Through this feature, the design maintains an open feel while optimizing energy usage.

Construction Details

The roof is made up of various layers, including a waterproof membrane designed to resist roots and a sandwich panel with good insulation properties. The walls consist of smart glass paired with timber-aluminium frames, creating a sturdy yet lightweight boundary. Inside, the flooring combines sandwich panels with timber, promoting comfort and durability, enhancing the overall user experience.

Natural light flows through the structure, casting shadows that shift throughout the day, creating an atmosphere that connects occupants to the rhythm of the surrounding environment.

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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge #8

Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge #8

Design iconic urban sculptures for the prestigious Mujassam Watan competition and compete for 50,000 €

50,000 € PRIZE project COMPETITION
Prize 50,000 + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 28 May 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
Rome 
Rain Rooms

Design rain rooms for Rome

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 28 May 2026
Mujassam Watan 
Urban Sculpture Challenge #8

Design iconic urban sculptures for the prestigious Mujassam Watan competition and compete for 50,000 €

50,000 € PRIZE project COMPETITION
Prize 50,000 + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 28 May 2026
new
Portugal Long Table 
Restaurant

Design a slow-living restaurant in Portugal

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 8 July 2026
new
Valli Wine 
Tasting Room

Design a wine tasting room in Italy

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 30 July 2026
Pavilion Atlas 2026

Design a story of your country

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 16 September 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
Advance registration deadline 27 May 2026
Museum of 
Emotions

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #8 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 18 June 2026
new
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 18 June 2026
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 #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 2 July 2026
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
Advance registration deadline 9 July 2026
Underbridge #2

Design housing in underutilized bridge spaces

Affordable Housing Edition #20 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 16 July 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