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A Vertical Assembly of Compact Townhouses

Author:
Stanislav Metzger
A Vertical Assembly of Compact Townhouses
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Located within a rapidly densifying urban context, the design responds to pressing housing pressures shaped by escalating land values and a growing population. The proposal investigates compact vertical living as a means to optimize limited sites while incorporating shared spaces that encourage social interaction
5 key facts about this project
01
Compact two-level townhouses enhance urban living efficiency.
02
Shared outdoor areas promote community interaction and ties.
03
Vertical stacking reduces horizontal land use significantly.
04
Lightweight timber structures allow flexible internal layouts.
05
Reinforced concrete framework ensures durability and low maintenance.

Sydney Modern Insula Tiny Townhouses addresses the challenge of housing shortages in Sydney, where rising land costs and population growth demand more efficient urban living models. The project explores vertical densification through compact two-level townhouses, organized to balance private dwelling spaces with opportunities for collective engagement. Shared outdoor areas are integrated within the scheme to foster interaction and strengthen community ties.

Spatial Strategy
The design consolidates residential functions into vertically stacked units, reducing horizontal land use and enabling a more compact urban footprint. Circulation spaces are reconfigured as active extensions of living areas, minimizing wasted surface while offering flexible zones for everyday use. This approach allows the limited site area to support both individual dwellings and communal amenities, ensuring adequate light, ventilation, and social connectivity across the development.

Materiality and Structure
A reinforced concrete framework provides structural stability through ceilings, columns, and circulation cores, ensuring long-term durability and reduced maintenance requirements. Within this robust framework, the townhouses are built using lightweight timber skeletal structures, offering flexibility in internal layouts that can adapt to shifting resident needs and market demands. The combination of concrete and timber underscores a balance between permanence and adaptability, aligning with sustainable urban housing strategies.

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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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Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

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