Architecture Competition Iceland Volcano Lookout Point 3rd and Student prize winner – ETH ZURICH

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the 3rd and Student prize winner of our "Iceland Volcano Lookout Point" competition – Lorin Wiedemeier from Switzerland!

Lorin Wiedemeier from Switzerland

My name is Lorin Wiedemeier. I’m an architecture student at ETH Zürich in Switzerland and an aspiring architect. After having finished my bachelor’s degree in 2020, during which I worked as a teaching and research assistant for the chairs of structural design and landscape architecture at ETH Zürich, I started working as an intern for the Swiss-based architectural offices Bearth & Deplazes, as well as Giuliani Hönger. There I worked on competitions and detailed planning and had my first glimpse into the architectural practice. I am now finishing my master’s degree and am in the process of starting an architectural office Wiedemeier & Trueb together with my colleague Caspar Trueb. On this competition, however, I worked exclusively by myself.

Brief information about the projects that you/your company have been involved with. For instance, what scale have you focused on/preferred, any significant projects where the company/ individuals have been involved?

Wiedemeier & Trueb is currently exclusively focused on competitional work. We started competing in the fall of 2021, and our first and only competition so far was the latest competition hosted by Switch Competitions called Minimum School Ladakh, where we surprisingly won 2nd place. As of this moment, we’re working on further competitions based in Switzerland, looking to set up our office in the process.

What does architecture mean to you and what is the role of an architect in your society?

This question has been addressed by great minds throughout the centuries, and at this point in time I’d consider it premature to try and give an all-encompassing answer to that. I will, however, give some thoughts:


To me, architecture appears twofold. On one hand, it functions as its own independent discipline - being part of the visual arts and crafts and being a means to itself as an end. Pure artistic expression through visual and spatial language with a long history of the pursuit and perfection of beauty, shape, and form. On the other hand, architecture can be a societal tool and is in a unique position to translate systems of values, ideas, and politics permanently into the built environment, ideally influencing both environment and society in a positive manner. These two sides may be contradictory, and it is for us all to position ourselves within this field of tension. In my opinion modern architecture can and probably should contribute positively to culture and society, all the while it should not forget nor negate its history. Architecture should strive to be beautiful and practical, breath-taking and thought-provoking.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Participating in architecture competitions for me is a great way to gain experience in formulating and sharpening ideas and architectural concepts, practicing the skills necessary to translate my ideas, and it is essentially what I love doing most: problem-solving and inventing things.

What advice would you give to individuals who struggle to decide whether it would be beneficial for them to participate in architecture competitions?

I would advise those individuals to just go for it. The entry fees on platforms such as Buildner are comparatively low and you’re free to invest as much time as you wish. Just by participating and solving the issues presented in the competition you can learn and improve a lot.

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest Deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions first
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
ideas COMPETITION
The Architect's Chair
Edition #1

Take a seat and make a statement!

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 06
Sep 06
Nov 01
ideas COMPETITION
Beyond Isolation: Senior Housing
Senior living. Edition#2

Reimagine senior living spaces

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 08
Sep 08
Nov 02
project COMPETITION
The Legendary Highway 14 Tower

Design an iconic tower for De Smet, South Dakota, USA

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + CONSTRUCTION
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 09
Sep 12
Nov 03
project COMPETITION
Iceland Beer Spa

Design a beer spa in Iceland's captivating landscape

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + CONSTRUCTION
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 14
Sep 14
Nov 08

Reccuring architecture competitions

ideas COMPETITION
MICROHOME
Small living, huge impact! Edition #6

Design a new concept of small-scale home

Prize: MONETARY AWARD + PUBLICATION IN MAGAZINE
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Feb 16
Apr 18
Jun 16
ideas COMPETITION
Silent contest
For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
The Last Nuclear Bomb Memorial
Edition #3

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 26
Sep 03
Nov 05
ideas COMPETITION
Silent contest
For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Museum of Emotions
Edition #3

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Mar 17
May 19
Jul 21
Run repeatedly
Los Angeles Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series #16

Design affordable housing solutions in Los Angeles

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Jun 07
Sep 07
Nov 01
Register now
Run repeatedly
Virtual Home
Edition #2

Shape the future of digital living environments

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
May 02
Jul 04
Sep 06
Register now
Run repeatedly
Pavilion Of Humanity: First Contact
Edition #2

How would you represent the best that humanity has to offer through architecture?

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Mar 27
May 25
Jul 24
Register now
Run repeatedly
Silent contest
For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Architectural Visualization Award
Edition #2

Present your best work and submit your favorite architectural visualization

Prize: MONETARY AWARD
Eligibility: OPEN TO ALL

registration deadlines

Remind me
Mar 23
May 25
Jul 27
Register now

Creativity gym Short term competitions for you to exercise your creativity

T-SHIRT DRAWING COMPETITION
The Architect's T-shirt
Edition #19

Design THE architect's t-shirt!

Prize: 3,000 €
Eligibility: open to all

registration deadlines

Remind me
May 31
Jun 30
Jul 31
Register now
ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO COMPETITION
The Buildner's Architecture Portfolio Competition
Edition #2

Submit your online portfolio!

Prize: 5,000 €
Eligibility: open to all

registration deadlines

Remind me
Mar 31
Apr 30
May 31
Register now

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Competition results

Hong Kong 
Pixel Homes

Hong Kong Pixel Homes

Affordable Housing Series #2
MICROHOME

MICROHOME

Small living, huge impact! Edition #4

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