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Cork-Covered Courtyards Enhancing Flexible Urban Workspaces

Authors:
Tugce Kakirman, Jeslyn Low, Gabrielle Moran
Cork-Covered Courtyards Enhancing Flexible Urban Workspaces
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Utilizing cork-covered courtyards and flexible modular spaces, the design creates a contemporary urban workspace that prioritizes sustainability and community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cork-covered courtyards enhance user interaction and promote well-being.
02
Modular design allows for easy reconfiguration to adapt to changing needs.
03
Eco board materials support sustainability and reduce environmental impact.
04
A public agora with tiered seating accommodates larger community events.
05
Flexible workspace options encourage collaboration in an urban setting.

The design located along the Paseo de la Castellana in Madrid focuses on modern workspace flexibility in an urban setting. It addresses new ways of working, creating various environments that suit individual needs and encourage teamwork. With its prime location, the project connects important cultural sites and transport networks, allowing for easy access and interaction with the city.

Modular Design

The approach features a modular design built on a grid system that can adapt to different staff arrangements. Each workspace can be reconfigured as required, responding to the changing demands of work. This flexibility is essential in today's office settings, where the need for adaptable spaces is more important than ever.

Communal Spaces

Communal areas play a significant role in the design, especially the courtyards intended for casual meetings and collaboration. These spaces enhance social interaction, inviting employees to gather and share ideas. By integrating greenery and open-air environments, the design helps create a pleasant atmosphere that fosters a sense of community among users.

Sustainable Practices

Sustainability influences many design choices. Extensive use of glass allows natural light to enter workspaces, which helps reduce energy consumption. This conscious decision improves the workspace environment and promotes a comfortable and healthy setting for all users.

Workspace Variety

The layout includes different types of spaces such as private offices, flex desks, and collaborative meeting rooms equipped with sliding whiteboard panels. Each area serves a specific function while reflecting the overall theme of versatility. A public agora with tiered seating is also included, enabling larger gatherings and enhancing the building’s functionality.

Materials selected for the project include a cork green roof, eco board, waterproofing sheets, thermacork insulation, and a timber frame structure. Each material fulfills a vital role in supporting efficiency and performance. These choices add to the design’s overall effectiveness in creating a thoughtful workspace that aligns with the needs of its users while blending harmoniously within its urban context.

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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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