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A Sliding Façade System for Flexible Urban Living

Author:
Bahman Mirhashemi
A Sliding Façade System for Flexible Urban Living
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The design responds to the demand for flexible and affordable urban housing by employing a modular system that accommodates diverse living needs. It integrates spatial adaptability with community-oriented features to balance privacy and social interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular nine-square diagram allows unique interior configurations.
02
Vertical circulation centralized in an access core.
03
Sliding façade system balances light and privacy control.
04
Concrete prefabricated slabs ensure durability and energy efficiency.
05
Design promotes adaptability and community interaction among residents.

The MatchStick Residential Towers are designed to address urban housing needs by offering adaptable living spaces within a modular framework. The project emphasizes flexibility and community, allowing residents to personalize their units while encouraging social interaction through shared spaces. The design integrates efficiently into its urban context with consideration for both individual and collective living.

Modular Design and Spatial Organization

The towers are structured around a modular nine-square diagram that divides each unit into nine smaller sections. This system allows for various interior configurations, enabling residents to customize their homes to suit personal requirements. Vertical circulation is centralized in an access core that facilitates movement between floors and connects the building to the surrounding environment. This design element supports accessibility and fosters community engagement.

Materiality and Environmental Considerations

Concrete is used as the primary structural material, forming prefabricated slabs that provide durability and support energy efficiency. A sliding façade system offers residents control over light and privacy, contributing to comfort while maintaining a cohesive architectural appearance. These material and design choices align with the project’s goals of creating resilient, sustainable urban housing.

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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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Design the next suburban home for the USA

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Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

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