Howard Waterfall Retreat

Dezeen Competitions: Buildner’s Howard Waterfall Retreat competition asks designers to create a family retreat in Howard Falls, Pennsylvania, USA.

The competition encourages participants to create a resort informed by the location’s natural resources and heritage.

This competition is now closed

Organiser: Buildner
Competition: Howard Waterfall Retreat
Judges: To be announced in due course
Submission deadline: 8 September 2025
Winner announcement: 21 October 2025
Prizes: There is €10,000 in prize money for competition winners as follows: 1st prize: €5,000; 2nd prize: €2,500; 3rd prize: €1,000; Buildner Student Award: €1,000; Buildner Sustainability Award: €500

Click here to enter

Competition overview

The competition requires the design of a multi-generational family resort in Howard Falls. Proposals should provide a functional, versatile and sustainable accommodation with shared and private spaces that meets the needs of occupants and draws on the beauty of the environment.

Proposals should also take into consideration the constraints of the environment, such as changes in elevation, biodiversity and flood risks.

A summer cottage already located on-site should be assessed as part of the proposal, whether by preservation or influence of the new building.

The concepts should be communicated through plans, sections, perspectives and visualisations.

Eligibility and judging criteria

The competition is open to any individual over the age of 18.

No professional qualifications are required. Proposals can be submitted individually or by teams of up to four individuals.

All submissions must be in English.

How to enter

Submission requirements include:

• Four A2 landscape-orientated presentation board with renderings, plans, sketches, diagrams, and other presentation techniques to explain their proposal. Full details are on Buildner’s website
• No video files are accepted
• All information provided in writing must be in English
• Submissions must be uploaded to the online upload panel, which will provide participants with instructions on how to upload their presentation board
• Presentation boards must be anonymous and not include an individual’s or team’s identity

Submission deadlines

The final registration deadline is 24 July 2025. The competition is open to submissions until 8 September 2025 and the winners will be announced on 21 October 2025.

About Buildner

Buildner promotes international architecture competitions, providing a platform for designers and architects to showcase their work and shape the future of the built environment. For over ten years, the platform has published more than 140 competitions and had over 400 guest jury members.

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