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Charred Wood Shingles and Insulated Panels Defining Versatile Modular Living in California

Charred Wood Shingles and Insulated Panels Defining Versatile Modular Living in California
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Employing charred wood shingles and insulated panels, this modular housing solution integrates seamlessly with the California landscape, offering a customizable living experience designed for flexibility and sustainability.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and fire resistance.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels for improved structural efficiency.
03
Features a versatile modular design allowing for fluid spatial configurations.
04
Employs insulated panels for superior thermal performance in varying climates.
05
Designed with large glass elements to promote natural light and outdoor connectivity.

### Overview

Set in the Southern California context of the San Bernardino Mountains, the Light Space residential design project reinterprets traditional housing through modular components known as "pods." This approach reflects contemporary housing needs by offering adaptability and flexibility, allowing users to configure their living spaces according to individual lifestyles. Drawing inspiration from Japanese Metabolism principles, the design promotes a connection between interior environments and the surrounding landscape, seeking to enhance the overall quality of life for residents.

### Spatial Organization and User Interaction

The project strategically employs a modular layout characterized by separate pods that serve distinct functions, including bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms, and kitchen/dining areas. This configuration allows for independent engagement with each space, while the use of Pod Connectors facilitates seamless movement between them, akin to traditional home corridors. This organizational strategy not only fosters a sense of individuality within the living units but also encourages collaboration and interactive living experiences among residents.

### Materiality and Construction Efficiency

Light Space prioritizes modern materials to create a lightweight, easily transportable structure. The design incorporates steel for structural integrity and large glass elements to maximize natural light, while insulated panels ensure thermal efficiency. Prefabrication plays a crucial role in enhancing construction efficiency; pods are manufactured off-site and delivered ready for assembly, which significantly reduces on-site labor and construction time. This method aligns with contemporary sustainability goals by minimizing environmental impact and ensuring a more responsible approach to housing development.

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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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