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Color-Coded Modular Units Featuring Renewable Energy and Community Amenities

Authors:
Tony Saghafi, Eric Gross
Color-Coded Modular Units Featuring Renewable Energy and Community Amenities
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With its color-coded modular units and integrated renewable energy systems, this library enhances community interaction while providing versatile reading spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Color-coded modular units enhance organization and user experience.
02
Bicycle racks integrated into the design promote sustainable transportation.
03
Renewable energy systems provide power for charging devices and amenities.
04
Amenity modules include elements for comfort, such as cushions and blankets.
05
Shelving in amenity units ensures diverse literary access and promotes literacy.

The LIBRARY STACKS modular system represents a modern approach to library design, focusing on flexibility and user engagement. Set in adaptable spaces, the system is designed to create functional reading areas. By emphasizing modularity, the design facilitates easy reconfiguration to meet different needs, fostering an inviting environment suited for reading and community interactions.

Main and Lending Library Modules

Central to the design are the main library and lending library modules. The main library module provides a structured area for book lending, while the lending library encourages social exchange among users. This combination promotes a culture of sharing and collaboration, making the library an important part of the community.

Utility and Amenity Modules

Practicality is evident in the utility modules, which feature bike racks, solar panels, and power/battery systems. These components enhance the library's function and reflect a commitment to sustainability through renewable energy. The amenity modules add to the experience with tables and chairs, cushions and blankets, Bluetooth speakers, aroma therapy, and light boxes, catering to various user preferences and enhancing the reading atmosphere.

User-Centric Design

Ease of navigation is prioritized with a color-coded organization system. This helps users locate resources without difficulty. Each amenity module includes shelving for a variety of genres, ensuring ample access to literature and promoting literacy. The design also integrates a copper contact strip that allows for charging electronic devices, addressing modern technological needs.

A distinctive feature of the LIBRARY STACKS system is its ability to promote community interaction while offering spaces for individual quiet reflection. Various configurations allow users to move between shared and private areas, adapting the library's atmosphere to suit their specific reading habits.

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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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Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

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