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Bamboo Structures and Vertical Gardens Enhance Sustainable Micro Homes for Refugee Communities

Bamboo Structures and Vertical Gardens Enhance Sustainable Micro Homes for Refugee Communities
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Constructed with bamboo and reinforced by vertical gardens, these micro homes create a resilient living environment that integrates sustainable practices while addressing the urgent housing needs of displaced communities.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes bamboo as the primary structural material, promoting local resources and cultural significance.
02
Incorporates vertical gardens to enhance biodiversity and provide food sources within the housing complex.
03
Features water collection systems integrated into the rooftop designs for sustainable resource management.
04
Emphasizes communal living through interconnected micro homes, fostering social interaction among residents.
05
Designed to facilitate adaptability, allowing for future modifications based on community needs.

### Project Overview
The "Tale of Rooting Community" initiative addresses the housing needs of the Rohingya communities in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, amid ongoing environmental challenges and a humanitarian crisis. The project seeks to blend sustainable living with community resilience and reforestation efforts, creating a living environment that fosters both individual shelter and a collective identity tied to the surrounding landscape.

### Spatial Organization and Community Engagement
The design incorporates a layout of micro homes arranged to encourage social interaction while ensuring personal privacy. This configuration enhances communal living, where shared pathways and communal spaces foster connections among residents and support collective activities, such as community gardening. The integration of living spaces with agricultural zones blurs the lines between domestic life and nature, facilitating a harmonious relationship with the environment.

### Materiality and Sustainability
Constructed primarily from locally sourced bamboo, Kingspan flat cassettes, and recycled materials, the homes reflect cultural heritage while ensuring functional durability and comfort. Bamboo serves both structural and aesthetic purposes, contributing to the welcoming atmosphere. Sustainability is prioritized through features such as roof gardens and vertical planting systems for rainwater capture, as well as the installation of solar panels to enhance energy independence. Local textiles enrich interiors, reinforcing cultural relevance and creating a sense of warmth.

This holistic approach not only addresses immediate housing needs but also lays the groundwork for sustainable practices essential for the long-term resilience and self-sufficiency of the Rohingya community.

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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

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
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Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

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