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Charred Wooden Shingles Integrated with Vertical Extensions in Multifamily Urban Housing

Charred Wooden Shingles Integrated with Vertical Extensions in Multifamily Urban Housing
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Combining charred wooden shingles with strategically placed vertical extensions, this multifamily housing project enhances natural ventilation while promoting communal living in an urban environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wooden shingles enhance durability and provide a distinctive aesthetic.
02
Cross-laminated timber panels contribute to structural efficiency and sustainability.
03
A bent A-frame design maximizes interior space and facilitates natural light penetration.
04
Integrated vertical extensions optimize airflow while maintaining privacy for residents.
05
Rooftop gardens promote biodiversity and offer communal green spaces for occupants.

### Project Overview
The architectural project is situated within an urban context, emphasizing a balance between innovative design and environmental integration. The intent is to create a residential structure that fosters a sense of community while drawing upon both contemporary aesthetics and traditional architectural influences.

### Spatial Strategy and User Experience
The design features an intuitive spatial arrangement that connects indoor and outdoor areas, enhancing usability. Key open spaces, such as gardens and terraces, are strategically positioned to encourage interaction between residents and the landscape. The layout ensures that service areas are discreetly located away from primary living spaces, promoting a tidy and functional environment. In the upper levels, private sleeping quarters are complemented by balconies that extend living spaces outdoors, providing additional areas for relaxation and connection to nature.

### Material Selection and Sustainability
A deliberate choice of materials reinforces both local traditions and modern sensibilities. Concrete serves as the primary structural element, while aluminum components enhance the lightweight nature of the design. Glass facades maximize natural light and facilitate visibility, and wooden accents introduce warmth and organic texture. Additionally, ceramic tiles and stone coatings reflect local craftsmanship and durability.

Sustainability is a prominent focus, highlighted by the integration of natural ventilation systems inspired by traditional wind towers. These design elements optimize airflow throughout the structure, minimizing reliance on mechanical cooling while enhancing indoor comfort. The aesthetically decorative facade offers passive cooling benefits through patterned screens that create a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, contributing to the home’s ecological performance.

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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

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

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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
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Early bird registration deadline 26 February 2026

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