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Capturing Sunlight with Solar Panels and Connecting Communities Through Rippling Form

Author:
Nana Aba Turkson
Capturing Sunlight with Solar Panels and Connecting Communities Through Rippling Form
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A rippling form captures sunlight through integrated solar panels while fostering community interaction, providing multifunctional space for urban living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rippling design allows for visual connectivity among multiple building levels.
02
Integrated solar panels support renewable energy initiatives.
03
Balconies promote social interaction and outdoor engagement.
04
Adaptive multipurpose spaces respond to changing community needs.
05
Rainwater collection systems enhance sustainability measures.

The Kurt Tower is an architectural endeavor that combines sustainability, community interaction, and multifunctional spaces in a contemporary urban context. Inspired by wind turbines, the design communicates a sense of freedom and lightness. This building aims to create opportunities for its occupants to connect with one another while visually integrating into the surrounding environment.

Community Engagement

The design features a ripple effect that promotes visual connections between different levels of the building. This approach allows people on upper floors to see and engage with those below them, encouraging social interactions. By shifting its shape, the structure addresses privacy concerns while still fostering an open atmosphere. The design seeks to create an environment where individuals can build relationships and strengthen community ties.

Sustainability Approach

A focus on sustainability drives many of the building's features. Solar panels are designed to capture sunlight, supporting the use of renewable energy. The project also includes systems for collecting rainwater and cool air from outside, enabling effective climate control within the building. These sustainable elements aim to lessen the ecological footprint and enhance the living conditions for those who occupy the space.

Multipurpose Functionality

The Kurt Tower is intended to be adaptable to the varying needs of its users. This flexibility allows it to serve multiple functions across time, responding to changes in community dynamics and user requirements. Such adaptability ensures the building remains relevant in a fast-paced urban setting, adjusting to the evolving needs of its occupants.

Balconies are an important feature throughout the design, providing transitional spaces that facilitate interactions between people and connect them to the outdoors. These areas enhance the functionality of the building, blending private space with communal experiences. The integration of these design elements draws attention to the importance of human connection in an urban environment.

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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.

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
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

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