Although many political agendas have trickled into the realm of design, the border wall continues to be a hot topic for architects. Since the inception of this project, social media has highlighted the "We Won't Build Your Wall" campaign, which has been prevalent at a number of architectural schools in the U.S. and overseas. This campaign did not stop the U.S. government from soliciting ideas and proposals from contractors which were due Tuesday. The request for proposals (RFPs) deadline for the U.S.-Mexico border wall are in, and the Associated Press points out that companies will not be revealed until an award is given. However, some proposals have been released by the bidders themselves.

The sample list presented in the article give variations on the future wall with some employing different traits such as using art, renewable energy resources, novelty architecture, and nuclear waste storage.  

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SOLAR PANELS

Gleason Partners LLC of Las Vegas proposes solar panels to cover sections of the wall.

The panels would provide electricity for lighting, sensors and patrol stations along the wall. Sales of electricity to utilities could cover the cost of construction in 20 years or less, according to the company. Power could also be sold to Mexico.

"I like the wall to be able to pay for itself," said managing partner Thomas Gleason.

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TOURIST ATTRACTION

Crisis Resolution Security Services Inc. of Clarence, Illinois, proposes a wall that is 56 feet (17 meters) high and 22 feet (7 meters) wide at the top — with plenty of room to allow tourists to enjoy desert views.

The height — nearly twice what the government envisions — would deter climbers, and its width would give the structure longevity, said chief executive officer Michael Hari.

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NUCLEAR WASTE

Clayton Industries Inc. of Pittsburgh proposes storing nuclear waste along the wall in trenches that are at least 100 feet (30 meters) deep.

Money already collected by the U.S. Department of Energy from people who benefit from nuclear power would help pay for the wall.

The bid includes an option for hardware to convert the nuclear waste to energy.

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ARTWORK ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER

Concrete Contractors Interstate of San Diego proposed a polished concrete wall augmented with stones and artifacts specific to areas on the 2,000-mile (3,218-kilometer) border.

Russ Baumgartner, CEO of the company, says the wall should be "a piece of art."

Customs and Border Protection's solicitation says the wall should be "aesthetically pleasing" from the U.S. side. Baumgartner wants to decorate both sides.

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BALLISTIC CONCRETE

DarkPulse Technologies of Scottsdale, Arizona, proposes a concrete wall that can withstand tampering or attacks of any kind.

"You could fire a tank round at it and it will take the impact," said company founder Dennis O'Leary.

Fiber sensors would be embedded in the concrete to immediately alert officials to any attempts to climb over or tunnel under the wall. It would be coated with a slick coating that would prevent climbing.

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NO BORDER

Otra Nation, a group of U.S. and Mexican citizens, proposed the world's first shared co-nation along the border "open to citizens of both countries and co-maintained by Mexico and the United States of America."

It would also create "nodes of cultural production" such as libraries, museums, galleries and workshops between San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico, and other spots with cities on both sides of the border.

It would prohibit oil drilling and mining and create a "Hyperloop transportation system" for people and cargo.