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 Pods Enveloped in Natural Greenery Along Lakeside Retreat

Author:
Zoran Zivanovic
Timber Pods Enveloped in Natural Greenery Along Lakeside Retreat
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Timber Pods situated along the edge of Lake Bezdibene incorporate a raised walkway and sustainable materials, creating a serene environment for individual retreats focused on nature and self-reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Timber Pods are constructed with sustainably sourced hand-hewn timber.
02
The design incorporates a raised walkway that preserves the natural forest ground.
03
Each Pod features an elliptical footprint for optimal use of space.
04
Protection layers allow for airflow in warmer weather and insulation in cooler conditions.
05
The Entry Pod includes essential amenities accessed through weatherproof zipped doors.

The design around Lake Bezdibene includes a series of residential Pods placed on the edge of the lake to create a calm and peaceful environment. The location was chosen to provide quiet views while minimizing disruption to the existing forest. The concept emphasizes a connection with nature, making the Pods suitable for individuals looking to retreat into a more tranquil setting and engage in self-reflection.

Design Integration

Connectivity is a key aspect of the design. A raised timber walkway links the Pods to the nearby Ozolini Household. This pathway enhances safety for pedestrians while protecting the natural ground of the forest. By encouraging movement between the spaces, the design promotes interaction among users and fosters a sense of community within the site.

Functional Characteristics

The architecture focuses on themes of friendship and simplicity, creating cozy spaces that facilitate personal reflection. Each Pod is designed for short stays, offering comfortable accommodation for four to five days. The interior layout includes different zones for activities such as meditation and relaxation. This variety enhances the experience for both individuals and groups.

Material Usage

The project uses materials that reflect its sustainability goals. The Pods feature sustainably sourced, hand-hewn timber for both external and internal surfaces. This choice supports environmental responsibility and provides durability. The outer canvas shell is attached to a lightweight steel frame, allowing easy maintenance and adaptations as needed.

Design Detailing

The design includes protective layers that help manage temperature. These air-separated layers allow for ventilation during warm weather and provide insulation when it gets cold. An active fireplace supplies heat during cooler seasons, and natural cross-ventilation ensures comfort year-round. The Entry Pod holds essential facilities like a toilet, vanity, and shower, accessed through weatherproof canvas zipped doors that connect to the living areas.

Each Pod has an elliptical shape, accommodating spaces for sleeping, reflection, and recreation. This thoughtful design invites users to engage with the natural surroundings, creating a balanced environment that encourages relaxation and connection with 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 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