Employing traditional Mashrabiya screens for natural ventilation and durable travertine for thermal performance, this residential design successfully blends cultural heritage with modern sustainability.
The integration of perforated wood fiber panels and triangular steel elements creates a dynamic interplay of natural light in a structure designed for wildlife observation and public engagement.
A wooden ribbon pathway weaves through the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve, connecting modular shelters and an observation tower, creating spaces for visitors to engage with the landscape and observe local wildlife.
Utilizing cardboard tubes and acrylic transparency, the observation tower enhances visitor engagement with the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve while providing a dedicated space for observing the area's unique wildlife.
Protruding cones capture natural light while a corrugated metal roof provides durability in a building designed for observation and interaction within the unique landscape of Grjótagjá caves.
Utilizing locally sourced basalt and weathered steel, the visitor centre seamlessly integrates into Iceland's dramatic landscape while providing essential information and amenities for an immersive cave exploration experience.
Set within the geothermal landscape of northern Iceland, clusters of wire mesh walls and flexible net bridges guide visitors through a series of viewpoints that showcase the dynamic fissures, offering an interactive experience with the natural environment.
Emerging from the Icelandic landscape, the visitor center utilizes reinforced concrete and basalt stone to reflect the geological features of its surroundings while providing direct access to the nearby lava cave.
Re-purposed metal plates form an engaging structure that harmonizes with Iceland's tectonic landscape, offering visitors a café and viewing areas to appreciate the surrounding natural beauty.
With a central observation tower extending into underground caves and a blend of crystalline structures and volcanic rock walls, the design offers an immersive educational experience about Iceland's geological features.
A curvilinear pathway constructed from glulam beams and expanded metal grating weaves through the landscape of De Smet, South Dakota, creating an engaging space that fosters community interaction and a deep connection to nature.
A smoked glass observation tower offers panoramic views over the wetland habitat while housing an interactive educational museum aimed at fostering awareness of local biodiversity.
Modular pathways weave through Al Wathba Reserve, creating an immersive experience that fosters awareness of avian habitats while allowing visitors to engage with nature from the vantage point of a carefully designed observation tower.
Rammed earth construction defines a unique observation tower with curved stairs that frames views of the surrounding cave landscape, inviting visitors to engage with their natural environment while serving as a visitor center.
Utilizing rammed earth and flexible chainmail pathways, the design merges with Iceland's unique geological landscape to create a tranquil visitor retreat focused on thermal bathing and environmental harmony.
Rising 18 meters, the Thermowood tower offers panoramic views of the Grjótagjá caves while providing essential visitor facilities connected by a modular walking path designed to enhance exploration of the natural landscape.
An elongated structure of reinforced concrete spans a geological crack, integrating a modular pathway system that connects private and public cave environments, serving as an inviting visitor center in Iceland's unique landscape.
The use of charred timber cladding and a modular pathway system creates a seamless integration of the structure with its natural surroundings, fostering an interactive visitor experience within the educational and recreational spaces.
Constructed using modular timber and suspended elements, the pavilion offers a dynamic experience in nature while serving as an educational space for visitors to engage with local flora and the history of timber.
Reflecting Iceland’s dramatic lava formations, the viewing tower utilizes mirrored surfaces to create a visual dialogue with the landscape while providing an elevated space for observation and community engagement.
Situated in a remote and challenging landscape, the design explores the relationship between humanity, nature, and time through a combined memorial and educational facility. The structure addresses themes of memory, ecological responsibility, and philosophical inquiry within a carefully considered architectural framework.
Incorporating clay as a central element, the design fosters communal creativity and storytelling, providing a space where individual narratives converge within an interactive environment.
Incorporating advanced robotic parking technology and sustainable green roofs, this urban housing solution maximizes space efficiency while addressing the growing demand for adaptable living environments.
Constructed with hempcrete and rammed earth, the residence combines traditional Middle Eastern design strategies with contemporary sustainable technologies to create an efficient family dwelling in Dubai's desert environment.
Utilizing a frame-wall structure and a steel plate system, the design integrates natural elements to facilitate interactive learning within the diverse ecosystems of the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve.
Constructed using woven palm leaves and local materials, the visitor center integrates with the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve, providing educational spaces that foster a connection between visitors and the surrounding ecosystem.
An enclosed observation area with all-round visibility allows visitors to engage deeply with the surrounding landscape while a series of designed balconies promotes social interaction and solitude, functioning as an urban lookout point.
The proposal explores retreat spaces designed for quiet reflection and meditation. The study focuses on creating a calm environment that fosters a connection to nature while supporting both individual and group activities.
Use architecture to create different emotional states
Edition #9ideas COMPETITIONSILENT 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
Advance registration deadline 12 November 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
Use architecture to create different emotional states
Edition #9ideas COMPETITIONSILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
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