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 Screens and Leaf Roof Create a Sanctuary for Meditation

Authors:
Samornmas Tanomchai, Sarayut Wongsaphibal, Voratida Vitayathanagorn
Timber Screens and Leaf Roof Create a Sanctuary for Meditation
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
With a roof shaped like a leaf and constructed using timber screens, the design provides a serene retreat that promotes meditation while maintaining a strong connection to the surrounding nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Roof shape inspired by a leaf enhances natural light and air flow.
02
Multi-use design includes dedicated areas for meditation and living.
03
Solar generator powered by reused cooking oil supports energy efficiency.
04
Timber screens provide privacy while maintaining openness to nature.
05
Cabin prefabricated for quick assembly minimizes construction waste.

The Serenity project presents a thoughtful approach to design in a natural setting, with a focus on creating a peaceful and calming space for meditation and quiet reflection. Located in an environment that encourages outdoor interaction, the project emphasizes a strong relationship between inside and outside. It aims to harmonize the concept of living close to nature while accommodating the practical needs of modern inhabitants.

Design Concept

Inspired by the shape of a leaf, the roof design symbolizes a connection to nature. This theme continues through the use of open window designs that blur the boundaries between the interior and exterior. By allowing natural light and air to flow freely, the cabin becomes an inviting space that promotes a sense of tranquility and well-being. The design cleverly engages with its surroundings, making the most of the scenic views and fresh air.

Spatial Functionality

The layout efficiently includes areas for various activities such as sleeping, cooking, living, and meditation. Each part of the cabin serves multiple purposes, ensuring the living area adapts to the occupants' changing needs. This focus on flexible living spaces reflects a broader trend towards efficiency, particularly in smaller homes where every square meter counts. The result is a functional environment that accommodates daily life seamlessly.

Sustainable Practices

Sustainability is a key principle of the design. A solar diesel generator allows for energy use that can be sourced from reused cooking oil, reducing dependency on conventional fuels. Such energy solutions showcase the commitment to environmentally responsible practices. This focus on sustainability positions the cabin as an example of how thoughtful design can minimize environmental impact while providing a comfortable living experience.

Material Choices

Timber features prominently in the structure and privacy screens of the cabin. This choice not only adds warmth but also complements the natural environment surrounding the building. The use of 10 mm thick tempered glass panels invites extensive natural light while offering vistas of the landscape. These materials create a welcoming atmosphere and strengthen the connection between the indoor spaces and the outside world.

The strategic arrangement of timber screens allows for privacy while maintaining an open feel that keeps the focus on the surrounding landscape. These elements enhance the overall experience, ensuring that the cabin remains a serene retreat where occupants can find peace and comfort in nature.

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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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 Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
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

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 Home of 
Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 14 January 2026
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
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
Early bird registration deadline 11 February 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