Clark Nexsen's Combustion Chamber serves as a vehicle to fuel experimentation and discovery within the professional realm of architectural design. The intent is to provide a place for the exchange of ideas that then fosters creativity and collaboration.

To achieve these goals, the Combustion Chamber has leveraged design competitions as a springboard for innovation, with more than 30 design professionals across our offices and disciplines participating. Learn more...

Room+ Competition

Our third annual internal competition focused on designing a space – using Rhino – that makes working from home easier and healthier, with consideration given to unique or shared context or environment.

21st Century Urban High School Competition: neoMODUS

neoMODUS begins its hundred-year journey as a safe, sustainable, and community-oriented high school. Encountering the year 2099, the school requires an architecture of agility and flexibility, responsive to the flux of community needs organizing around nodes where the two environments (digital and physical) coalesce.

21st Century Urban High School Competition: Loom School

When a building provides services for multiple age groups and socio-economic backgrounds, it becomes a loom through which community members weave in and out through the day. The LOOM SCHOOL entwines Greensboro by providing easily accessed gathering spaces, civic amenities, and cultural place-making spaces.

21st Century Urban High School Competition: Canopy

CANOPY aims to transform standard educational practices and develop the skills of youth and adults alike by engaging with existing programs, expanding their impact on education, and involving the community for shared educational experiences.

Schools Without Classrooms Berlin Competition: The Wedge

The school building typology has fallen into the “one size fits all” mentality with a mundane routine of teaching and learning in a table – bench – chalkboard environment. Design can provide an environment that encourages mental growth through a student’s ideal way of learning by catering to each of the four types of learners.

Pape Bird Observation Tower Competition

Our entry NOVĒROŠANA (OBSERVATION) finds inspiration in ideas of concealment and revelation; observation and connection. The design gently fans its wings and lifts the visitor from the earth to the sky to better understand the complexity and expanse of the natural systems around them.

iDEA Raleigh Activate Challenge: Kite Pavilion at Dix Park

The Kite Pavilion design concept is intended to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to embrace Dorothea Dix Park. The design is reminiscent of box kites flown in the park and serves as a colorful beacon to welcome and attract park visitors.

Magis Puppy Design Challenge

Our entry, BARK LIGHT MAGIS PUPPY, transforms the minimal child’s play sculpture with points of colorful light that can be rearranged and continually reimagined. Acrylic rods of various lengths can be screwed into threaded holes in the puppy to transfer color changing light from inside the sculpture.

AIA Activate NC Urban Housing Competition

Our entry MINT is envisioned to be a place in which the chance for stability can be offered. It is a safe place where every day human needs are met and in which fellowship may thrive and foster involvement in the larger community.

AIA Activate NC Tiny Home Community Ideas Competition

Our entry is envisioned to be a place in which the chance for stability can be offered. It is a safe place where every day human needs are met and in which fellowship may thrive and foster involvement in the larger community.

Eames Chair Good Design Competition

Inspired by the premise that “good design is meant to be shared”, the DSR2 chair comfortably seats two while emphasizing the iconic profile of the original. It features an interchangeable section that can be fabricated in a variety of materials, textures, and colors.