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Biogas-Powered Shelter with Thermal Massing and Sustainable Timber Elements for Urban Volunteers

Biogas-Powered Shelter with Thermal Massing and Sustainable Timber Elements for Urban Volunteers
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Employing biogas technology and sustainable timber elements, the design provides a functional living space that supports urban volunteers engaged in educational outreach within Mumbai's complex communities.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes biogas digesters to convert organic waste into usable energy.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency and sustainability.
03
Features charred wooden shingles to enhance durability and fire resistance.
04
Employs a bent A-frame design to optimize natural light and ventilation.
05
Designed specifically for community engagement with adjacent underserved populations.

### Overview
The United Nations Education Volunteer Home is located in Mumbai, India, a city characterized by its economic dynamism alongside pronounced disparities in living conditions. This project seeks to address urgent housing needs for volunteers dedicated to improving the lives of marginalized communities while adhering to principles of sustainability. The design reflects an intention to engage with the local context and promote social interaction within an area marked by both affluence and poverty.

### Spatial Organization and Functionality
The layout of the home is designed to maximize efficiency and promote community interaction. It features distinct areas for work and relaxation to accommodate the diverse activities of residents. The kitchen serves as a central hub for communal engagement, enhancing the living experience while ensuring essential utility. Strategic placements facilitate effective rainwater collection and storage, underscoring the project’s commitment to resource management.

### Material Selection and Sustainability
Materials chosen for the volunteer home emphasize durability and environmental responsibility. Structural elements utilize concrete to provide stability and thermal mass, while glass components allow for abundant natural light, creating visual connectivity with the environment. The incorporation of a biogas digester supports waste management by converting organic materials into energy, while solar panels fulfill renewable energy needs. Additionally, rainwater harvesting systems are engineered to withstand local climatic conditions, further reinforcing the project's sustainability objectives.

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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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