Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Wind-Powered Structure with Brise Soleil Overlooking Natural Vistas

Authors:
Monica Montuschi, Alessandro Cerullo, Edgar Paul Enriquez Ibarra, Andrea Torreggiani
Wind-Powered Structure with Brise Soleil Overlooking Natural Vistas
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Two small wind turbines power the Haekkun Tower, which incorporates a brise soleil to manage light while offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape for visitors seeking solitary reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Brise soleil enhances natural light and energy efficiency.
02
Two small wind turbines provide renewable energy on-site.
03
Modular design simplifies construction and transportation.
04
Water recycling system uses rainwater and grey water effectively.
05
Strategic viewpoints offer unique perspectives of the Icelandic landscape.

The Haekkun Tower is an architectural structure located in the rugged Icelandic landscape. It serves as a place for contemplation and connection to nature, allowing visitors to embark on an upward journey that unveils different views of the surroundings. The design combines solitude with community, highlighted by a service center at its base that encourages social interaction. This thoughtful approach enhances the experience of being in such a unique environment.

Sustainability Features

Sustainability is a key element of the Haekkun Tower's design. The building operates independently by using renewable energy sources, which helps to reduce its environmental impact. A mechanical ventilation (MEV) system is paired with a heat pump to ensure effective air circulation and temperature control. This setup is particularly important in addressing the cold winters of Iceland, making the interior comfortable while minimizing energy loss.

The design also includes a water management system. Rainwater and grey water are collected, filtered, and used within the plumbing system. This method demonstrates an effort to use local water resources wisely and to minimize waste.

Modularity and Materials

The architecture of the Haekkun Tower embraces modular design, featuring three main beams of different sizes along with corresponding pillar heights. This approach simplifies construction and contributes to efficient use of resources. The materials used are wood, steel, and glass, selected for their ability to complement the natural surroundings. These choices support both the practical requirements of the building and enhance its aesthetic presence.

Energy Production and Integration

Incorporated into the design are two small wind turbines from the Icelandic company ICEWIND. These turbines capture the steady winds of the region, contributing to the tower's energy supply. Overall, the Haekkun Tower reflects a balanced approach to combining sustainability and architectural design.

A notable feature of the tower is the brise soleil, which controls the light that enters the building. This element creates a dynamic atmosphere inside, helping to establish a relationship between the interior spaces and the outdoor environment. Light shifts throughout the day, allowing moments of quiet reflection while connecting visitors to the Icelandic 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 Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
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
Advance registration deadline 18 February 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
new
Rome 
Rain Rooms

Design a rain room for Rome

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 14 January 2026
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
Iceland 
Slow Sauna

Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 28 January 2026
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
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

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
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
Advance registration deadline 22 January 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 #2 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 4 February 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