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Cross-Laminated Timber and Clay Plaster Create a Sustainable Microhabitat Embracing Aquaponics

Cross-Laminated Timber and Clay Plaster Create a Sustainable Microhabitat Embracing Aquaponics
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Emphasizing cross-laminated timber and clay plaster, this microhome integrates an aquaponic system within its design, promoting sustainable living while facilitating community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes an integrated aquaponic system to support food sustainability.
02
Incorporates a central pond that enhances biodiversity within the living space.
03
Features charred wooden shingles for improved durability and aesthetics.
04
Employs renewable cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency.
05
Integrates vertical gardens to maximize space and promote permaculture practices.

### Overview
The Symbiotic Microhome is located in a landscape characterized by heathland and forest, designed to establish a sustainable living environment aligned with ecological systems. This project aims to accommodate residents while promoting biodiversity and ecological balance through thoughtful architectural interventions.

### Spatial and Functional Layout
The design features a distinctive architectural form, combining rounded and angular shapes that enhance both aesthetics and functionality. A central aquaponic pond serves as a focal point, contributing to food production while symbolizing unity within the community. Additionally, optional greenhouse spaces enable year-round vegetable cultivation, reinforcing the connection to local food systems and ecological awareness.

### Material Choices and Sustainability
The material selection is carefully curated to reflect sustainable practices. Wood sourced from renewable resources is employed for structural components and cladding, ensuring thermal efficiency and harmony with the surrounding landscape. Clay plaster enhances indoor air quality and thermal regulation, while the incorporation of recyclable materials minimizes waste at the end of their life cycle. These choices not only support the structural integrity of the microhome but also emphasize the commitment to environmental stewardship.

### Features and Community Engagement
An innovative aquaponics system is central to the microhome's design, leveraging the symbiotic relationships between plants, fish, and bacteria to maximize food production with minimal water use. Furthermore, communal areas are integrated to promote social interaction and resource sharing among residents, fostering a sense of community that counters typical suburban isolation. The architectural framework encourages educational opportunities, demonstrating sustainable living practices for both residents and visitors.

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The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
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100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
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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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