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Charred Wood Shingles and Living Walls Frame a Sustainable Workspace

Author:
Geunho Min
Charred Wood Shingles and Living Walls Frame a Sustainable Workspace
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Charred wooden shingles and expansive living walls create a seamless integration of nature and workspace, resulting in a sustainable office environment that fosters collaboration and well-being.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wooden shingles provide a unique aesthetic and enhance fire resistance.
02
Cross-laminated timber panels offer structural stability and reduce construction waste.
03
A bent A-frame design maximizes natural light and improves thermal performance.
04
Integrated living walls contribute to biodiversity and air quality within the workspace.
05
Void spaces foster employee interaction and promote collaborative working environments.

The Namsan Office is an architectural project designed to create a sustainable workspace within a harmonious relationship with the surrounding landscape. This project emphasizes the interaction between nature and the built environment, reflecting contemporary architectural practices that prioritize ecological considerations. It serves as an office space, accommodating various functions needed for modern work while promoting community interaction.

The architectural design integrates both communal and individual workspaces through a series of carefully articulated voids that foster connectivity among occupants. These voids are strategically positioned to enhance natural light penetration and provide visual access to the external environment. The overall layout produces a dynamic spatial organization that supports various collaboration opportunities while also allowing for individual focus.

Architectural Integration of Nature
A distinctive aspect of the Namsan Office is its focus on voids and vegetation, which plays a critical role in the project’s identity. These voids are not merely functional; they act as social hubs, offering shared spaces for employees to converge. The incorporation of greenery throughout the building, including living walls and rooftop gardens, reinforces the commitment to sustainability and enhances the mental well-being of its users.

The façade features extensive glazing that facilitates a seamless transition between interior and exterior. This design approach mitigates the boundary between built form and nature, allowing occupants to engage with the outside environment, which is essential in a workplace setting. The use of natural materials, such as wood, complements the contemporary feel of the concrete and glass, yielding a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Sustainable Architectural Practices
The Namsan Office employs several sustainable building practices, including passive cooling and energy-efficient systems. By utilizing rainwater harvesting and solar energy solutions, the project minimizes its ecological footprint while optimizing operational performance. The incorporation of sustainable facade panels enhances thermal efficiency and contributes to the building's overall sustainability goals.

Architectural designs in this project prioritize user comfort through natural ventilation and daylighting strategies. The organization of spaces complements these goals, ensuring that work areas benefit from optimal light conditions while reducing reliance on artificial lighting.

For additional insights into the Namsan Office, readers are encouraged to explore the architectural plans, sections, and designs that elaborate on the project's features and innovative approaches. Examining these elements will provide a comprehensive understanding of how the design concept is realized in practice.

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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

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Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

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