Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Vertical Garden Cabin Utilizing Timber and Solar Energy in the Rainforest

Authors:
Misak Terzibasiyan, Hasti Serajahmadi, Kim Franken, Livia Rondinia Catini
Vertical Garden Cabin Utilizing Timber and Solar Energy in the Rainforest
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Constructed from timber and designed with a vertical garden, the cabin harnesses solar energy to offer a sustainable living environment in the Brazilian rainforest for both the Kayapo Indians and visitors.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed primarily from locally sourced timber, the design reflects indigenous building traditions.
02
The cabin incorporates a vertical garden, enabling year-round food cultivation for residents.
03
Solar panels provide energy, supporting an off-grid lifestyle without reliance on external resources.
04
Movable interior walls allow for flexible space usage based on residents' needs.
05
A rainwater collection system enhances sustainability by providing fresh water for daily use.

The Tribe Cabin is situated in the Brazilian rainforest and serves both the Kayapo Indians and visitors interested in indigenous cultures. Its design centers on sustainability and a strong connection to nature. The cabin functions as a living space that not only accommodates modern needs but also supports traditional lifestyles. The overall concept encourages ecological awareness and fosters a cultural exchange between residents and the forest.

Architecture Concept and Design

The design of the Tribe Cabin focuses on blending with the natural surroundings. Inspired by the flowing forms of the Amazon River, the cabin features a transparent structure that allows residents to feel immersed in the outdoors. Natural light floods the interior, creating a welcoming and bright environment. By prioritizing minimal ecological impact, the cabin reinforces the relationship between human habitation and the forest's delicate ecosystem.



Material Selection

Timber serves as the main building material for the Tribe Cabin, chosen for both its sustainability and its compatibility with local building traditions. Using timber helps to create a warm and inviting atmosphere while keeping ecological considerations at the forefront. Large openings integrated into the design enhance airflow, reducing the need for artificial light during the day and reinforcing the connection to the outside world.



Sustainable Features

A focus on energy efficiency drives the cabin’s design. The incorporation of solar panels allows for self-sustaining energy use, while a rainwater collection system provides a reliable source of fresh water. The option for additional systems, such as sanitation and irrigation, further showcases the commitment to supporting independent living. These features collectively work to reduce the cabin's environmental footprint and simplify life for its inhabitants.



Interior Adaptability

Inside, the cabin offers a flexible layout that can change according to the needs of its residents. Movable walls and adaptable spaces allow for varying activities, from cooking to working and socializing. This thoughtful design encourages a communal atmosphere while also offering personal space when required. The ability to reconfigure the interior supports the dynamic lifestyle envisioned for those who call the cabin home.



A standout feature of the design is the vertical garden, which enables residents to grow their own food year-round. This addition fosters local agricultural practices and strengthens the residents' bond with their environment, making daily life more connected to the rhythms of nature.

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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

`
Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 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
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 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
Early bird registration deadline 15 October 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 16 October 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025
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
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

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