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Adaptive Facade and Sustainable Materials Define a Circular Family Residence

Adaptive Facade and Sustainable Materials Define a Circular Family Residence
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An adaptive façade system coupled with aluminum composite and sustainable materials creates a versatile circular residence that prioritizes family-oriented living while maximizing energy efficiency and privacy.
5 key facts about this project
01
A circular layout enhances spatial adaptability for various family activities.
02
An adaptive façade system optimizes sunlight exposure and shading throughout the day.
03
Aluminum composite panels provide durability while reducing maintenance needs.
04
Integrated water management systems automatically adjust based on weather conditions.
05
Privacy is achieved through strategic site planning and limited sightlines.

### Overview
Located in the UAE, the design of the House of the Future reflects a commitment to cultural sensitivity, sustainability, and technological innovation in residential architecture. The intention is to create a living space that resonates with local heritage while addressing contemporary residential challenges. The central design element is a circular structure with a 15-meter diameter, inspired by traditional Arabic architectural forms, which fosters fluid movement and adaptability between interior and exterior spaces.

### Spatial Organization
The floor plan facilitates a family-oriented environment through its circular layout, allowing for versatile configurations that can accommodate various activities. The ground floor serves as a communal area, featuring living spaces and family-oriented facilities, while the first floor focuses on privacy, with bedrooms organized around a central core. Vertical circulation elements are integrated to enhance accessibility throughout the house, ensuring efficient flow between spaces.

### Material Selection
The materials chosen for construction emphasize both modern technology and local sensibilities. Aluminum composite panels are utilized for the façade to withstand the UAE’s climatic conditions, while tensile solar screens regulate light entry and enhance aesthetic qualities. An organic photovoltaic layer enables effective solar energy harnessing, contributing to the building’s energy self-sufficiency. Concrete provides structural stability, essential for the regional environment, ensuring both durability and strength.

### Innovative Features
The design incorporates a range of unique elements aimed at enhancing user experience and environmental sustainability. An adaptive façade system adjusts to changing environmental conditions, optimizing sunlight exposure and providing shade as needed. Additionally, an automated water management system utilizes weather data to maintain the microclimate around the home, promoting efficient resource use. Consideration for privacy is evident in the layout, which minimizes sightlines from outside while allowing an inviting external appearance. Public program areas have also been integrated, promoting community engagement and reinforcing social connections within the neighborhood.

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The Home of 
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MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
100,000€ Prize / 2026

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.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

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Recurring architecture competitions

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Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
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MICROHOME 2026

Design a new concept of small-scale home and share a prize fund of 100,000€

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Prize 100,000 €
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Early bird registration deadline 11 February 2026
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Use architecture to create different emotional states

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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

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Prize 100,000 €
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Early bird registration deadline 26 February 2026

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