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Charred Wooden Shingles and Natural Cooling in a Community-Centric Residence

Charred Wooden Shingles and Natural Cooling in a Community-Centric Residence
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Utilizing charred wooden shingles and local stone for sustainable design, this residence maximizes natural cooling and community interaction through its adaptable and multifunctional living spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Natural cooling strategies reduce reliance on mechanical systems.
02
Multifunctional spaces adapt to varying resident needs.
03
Community gardens promote biodiversity and local engagement.
04
Local stone cladding enhances thermal performance and aesthetics.
05
Charred wooden shingles provide fire resistance and aesthetic appeal.

### Project Overview
Located in the rapidly urbanizing landscape of the UAE, the "Where is My House?" initiative offers a new perspective on residential design, emphasizing community connectivity, sustainability, and the integration of natural elements. The intent behind the design is to create housing solutions that enhance social interactions among residents while harmonizing with the surrounding environment.

### Spatial Organization and Functionality
The layout centers around a central courtyard that serves as a communal space, encouraging light penetration and natural air circulation throughout the home. Living areas are strategically oriented to optimize views of this courtyard, fostering a visual and physical connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Key functional areas—including a living room, kitchen, and bedrooms—are designed for versatility, accommodating diverse usage patterns while including features like a vegetable garden to support sustainability and self-sufficiency.

### Material Selection and Environmental Strategies
The design employs sustainable materials that enhance thermal efficiency.
- **Concrete** is used for its thermal mass properties, providing stability in varying temperatures.
- Expanses of **glass** allow for daylighting while maintaining energy efficiency.
- **Sand** is integrated into wall compositions to regulate interior temperatures, while **local stone** for cladding establishes a contextual relationship with the site.
- **Wood** accents in finishes contribute warmth and tactile diversity.

The architectural approach addresses local climatic conditions by incorporating natural ventilation strategies and shading devices that mitigate excessive solar gain, thereby enhancing thermal performance and reducing energy reliance. Native landscaping further supports ecological balance by minimizing irrigation needs and promoting biodiversity.

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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 Home of 
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The Home of Shadows
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The Architect’s 
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The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
The Architect's 
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The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11

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

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
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
Rome 
Rain Rooms

Design a rain room for Rome

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 12 March 2026
Iceland 
Slow Sauna

Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 8 April 2026
Pavilion Atlas 2026

Design a story of your country

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 13 May 2026

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Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #8 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
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Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 25 February 2026
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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2026 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 February 2026
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Design a home with no artificial lighting

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Prize Monetary award
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Final registration deadline 2 March 2026
The Architect’s 
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Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
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Final registration deadline 5 March 2026
The Architect's 
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Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 2 April 2026
MICROHOME 2026

Design a new concept of small-scale home and share a prize fund of 100,000€

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 27 May 2026

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