Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Turf Roofs and Stone Walls in a Sustainable Icelandic Farmhouse

Author:
Joshua Mainez
Turf Roofs and Stone Walls in a Sustainable Icelandic Farmhouse
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
With turf roofs and stone walls inspired by Icelandic heritage, the farmhouse serves as a sustainable community hub that integrates agricultural practices and local cuisine.
5 key facts about this project
01
Turf roofs enhance insulation and blend with the natural landscape.
02
A central greenhouse supports diverse crop cultivation year-round.
03
Stone wall motifs are inspired by local lava cliffs and folklore.
04
Geothermal heat is utilized for garden irrigation and temperature control.
05
Multipurpose rooms offer views into the greenhouse for a direct food connection.

The farmhouse combines sustainability and practicality in a rural setting influenced by Icelandic traditions. It integrates agricultural activities with spaces for social interaction. At the center is a greenhouse that highlights food production while creating areas where the community can gather. Overall, the design centers around ecological responsibility and a strong connection to the surrounding landscape.

Design and Layout

The layout emphasizes clarity and accessibility. The main floor features two multipurpose rooms that serve a variety of functions, from community meetings to classes. These spaces include large windows that overlook the greenhouses, drawing occupants' attention to the agricultural process happening inside. The dining area accommodates 100 guests, making it a welcoming space for social gatherings and shared meals.

Greenhouse Integration

The greenhouse is an essential element of the overall design. It supports the growth of diverse crops such as potatoes, kale, and tomatoes, along with various herbs. Livestock, including sheep, provide additional food sources like milk and meat. This setup highlights a commitment to local agriculture and sustainability, creating a direct farm-to-table experience that can enhance the meal offerings for visitors.

Geothermal Principles

The design thoughtfully incorporates geothermal principles through the gardens, which are partially submerged to better manage resources. The gardens leverage heat from nearby hot springs, allowing for more effective cultivation despite Iceland’s challenging climate. This practical approach indicates a forward-thinking perspective on land use, emphasizing both productivity and environmental stewardship.

Cultural Resonance

The project reflects local heritage, especially in its use of stone wall motifs inspired by coastal lava cliffs. This design choice adds to the visual character of the farmhouse while also embedding cultural stories into the building’s identity. Such elements ground the architecture in its environment, reinforcing the relationship between the space and its natural setting.

The integration of living, productive, and communal spaces creates a unique environment where community engagement and local food production can thrive. Design details are thoughtfully considered to enhance the overall experience and reflect the surrounding landscape.

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