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Corten Steel Structure Enhancing Well-Being Through Green Roof Integration

Author:
Daniel Rice
Corten Steel Structure Enhancing Well-Being Through Green Roof Integration
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Constructed from Corten steel and enhanced with a green roof, the design prioritizes air quality while offering a communal space for wellness in an urban setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with weathering Corten steel for enhanced durability and aesthetic integration.
02
Incorporates an extensive green roof to improve air quality and promote biodiversity.
03
Features living wall systems designed for natural air filtration within the urban environment.
04
Utilizes a triangulated framework that enables cantilevered roof designs for outdoor interaction.
05
Equipped with photovoltaic panels to support renewable energy generation on-site.

### Overview and Concept

"Breathe Deep" is situated in Krakow, Poland, a city noted for its significant air quality challenges. This project aims to serve as a sanctuary for its users, promoting well-being amidst urban pollution. The design incorporates a dual role as both refuge and contributor to air quality improvement, integrating advanced systems that purify the air while being aesthetically and functionally cohesive.

### Material and Structural Strategy

The project employs a mix of materials tailored for durability and performance. Corten steel is utilized for its resilience and aesthetic character, while concrete provides essential structural stability and thermal mass. Extensive glazing facilitates natural ventilation and daylighting, contributing to a healthier indoor environment. Additionally, a green roof enhances insulation, supports biodiversity, and aids in stormwater management.

The structural design features a triangulated framework that enhances both integrity and visual appeal, with cantilevered roofs fostering dynamic connections between indoor and outdoor spaces. Plan layouts reflect a thoughtful balance between communal and private areas, with living wall systems acting as natural air quality enhancers while also serving as visual focal points.

### Sustainable Design Outcomes

This design efficiently addresses both health and energy considerations. It incorporates living walls and advanced ventilation systems to ensure a healthier indoor climate, while renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic panels and a ground source heat pump, contribute to its net-zero energy objective. The incorporation of a roof garden not only invites community engagement but also fosters social connectivity, providing a space for occupants to interact with nature within the urban landscape.

Through its focus on biophilic design, "Breathe Deep" establishes a relationship between architectural form and environmental sustainability, ultimately promoting a healthier urban living experience.

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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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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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