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Charred Wooden Shingles and Translucent Canopy in a Residential Retreat

Charred Wooden Shingles and Translucent Canopy in a Residential Retreat
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Floors adorned with charred wooden shingles and an airy, translucent canopy integrate seamlessly into a natural landscape, creating a contemporary dwelling that emphasizes light and sustainability.
5 key facts about this project
01
Floors incorporate charred wooden shingles, enhancing durability and weather resistance.
02
A bent A-frame design optimizes structural integrity while allowing for greater interior volume.
03
Cross-laminated timber panels are utilized for both walls and roofing, providing efficient insulation.
04
Large, strategically positioned openings create dynamic light patterns throughout the living spaces.
05
Native landscaping surrounds the structure, reinforcing ecological relationships with the local environment.

## Conceptual Overview

"Forest of Shadows" is a residential architectural design situated in a natural landscape, focusing on the interaction between built and natural environments. The concept emphasizes the dynamic interplay of light and shadow, akin to the experience of wandering through a forest. The design integrates features that mimic sunlight filtering through foliage, fostering a connection between indoor and outdoor spaces and creating a sense of safety and tranquility.

## Structural Layout and Materiality

The design employs a staggered arrangement of interconnected buildings, facilitating movement between diverse spaces and promoting a cohesive flow within the layout. Each area, including living zones, a kitchen, bathrooms, and communal spaces, is organized thoughtfully to maintain open connectivity.

The use of wood in the exterior cladding offers a rustic aesthetic while reinforcing sustainability efforts. Concrete serves as a durable foundation and pathway material, providing stability. The roof is crafted to resemble a forest canopy, utilizing lightweight yet robust fabric-like materials to diffuse light, contributing to transparency and enhancing the overall experience of natural illumination. Vertical white columns elevate the roof structure, creating an airy ambiance that preserves shelter while inviting the outdoors in.

## Sensory Engagement and Sustainability

The design encourages an immersive sensory experience, allowing occupants to engage with light, shadows, and sounds characteristic of the surrounding landscape. The arrangement and features of the home are intended to shift with the seasonal changes, enriching daily interactions within the space. The project emphasizes sustainability through the selection of low-impact materials and the incorporation of native plants in the surrounding landscape, enhancing ecological harmony while maintaining aesthetic value. The flexible layout supports both privacy and community engagement, reflecting a balanced approach to modern living.

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The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
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Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
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MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
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
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

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