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Acoustic Inverted Roof Enhancing Sensory Experience in Urban Living

Author:
Xintong (emily) Yan
Acoustic Inverted Roof Enhancing Sensory Experience in Urban Living
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The acoustically responsive inverted roof of this residence integrates sensory experiences into a central courtyard, promoting interaction with natural elements within a safe living space for the visually impaired.
5 key facts about this project
01
The central courtyard facilitates sensory interactions with natural elements.
02
Walls designed to resemble shutter blinds ensure privacy while enhancing interior acoustics.
03
The staircase spirals outward, promoting both movement and exploration within the home.
04
Rainfall creates a unique acoustic experience as water flows through the inverted roof.
05
The structure prioritizes safety and autonomy for visually impaired residents.

The house for the blind is designed for a low-density urban area with a moderate climate. It occupies an empty lot characterized by neighboring buildings that stand perpendicular to it. The design aims to redefine the experience of blindness, highlighting the importance of engaging with the world through senses other than sight. Overall, it presents a thoughtful approach to creating spaces that promote autonomy and connection with the environment.

Central Courtyard

A central courtyard serves as the focal point of this design. It offers a space for sensory experiences, allowing residents to feel the wind and hear the sounds of nature. This area provides opportunities for quiet reflection as well as social interaction, balancing private and communal needs. It plays a key role in how inhabitants experience their home.



Wall Structures

The tall walls of the house rise from the ground to the roof, resembling the function of shutter blinds. These walls provide privacy, shielding residents from outside views, while also creating a calm atmosphere within. Their height contributes to a sense of security and envelopment, enhancing the experience of sound and touch for those who live here.



Staircase and Circulation

The staircase is an important feature that connects various parts of the home. It guides residents through the space, allowing movement while also offering protection from outside observation. As it extends from the tangents of a spiral, the staircase combines both function and design, promoting exploration within the home and ensuring that each transition feels natural.



Inverted Cone-shaped Roof

The roof takes on an inverted cone shape, created by overlapping two spirals. During rain, this roof acts like a drum skin, making sounds that resonate through the space. Each raindrop runs through the spiral gutter, filling the home with a unique acoustic experience. This design detail creates an ongoing connection between the building and its surroundings, enriching the sensory experience for all who enter.

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

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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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