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Cross-Laminated Timber Framework Enhancing Multifunctional Urban Spaces

Authors:
Martin RÖtig, Hélène Le Bras
Cross-Laminated Timber Framework Enhancing Multifunctional Urban Spaces
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Cross-laminated timber panels and biophilic design elements converge to create a multifunctional space that facilitates artistic collaboration and community engagement through a café, tattoo studios, workshops, and a guesthouse.
5 key facts about this project
01
Designed with modular flexibility to adapt to various functions and user needs.
02
Incorporates biophilic elements to enhance user well-being and connectivity to nature.
03
Utilizes cross-laminated timber for structural efficiency and aesthetic warmth.
04
Features a bent A-frame design that creates unique spatial experiences.
05
Includes a green facade with integrated planters for improved environmental impact.

### Project Overview

Located in a dynamic urban context, the architectural design integrates multifunctional spaces that include a coffee shop, tattoo studios, workshops, galleries, and a guesthouse. The intent of this arrangement is to promote interaction among diverse user groups while addressing contemporary social and ecological challenges. By creating adaptable environments, the design responds effectively to evolving community needs and engages users through a shared architectural experience.

### Spatial Configuration

The spatial organization comprises multiple levels, each serving distinct functions that facilitate user interaction.

- **Ground Level** features a public gallery for art exhibitions, a café that acts as a social hub, and a reception area that ensures smooth navigation throughout the space.

- **Level 1** includes tattoo workshops and studios designed for collaboration among artists, in addition to a guesthouse that connects commercial and accommodation spaces within the structure.

- **Level 2** integrates educational functions, providing classrooms and exhibition areas that foster both theoretical knowledge and practical skills through workshops.

- **Level 3** offers a rooftop coffee shop and terrace, functioning as an observation deck and enriching the user experience by enhancing connections to the urban environment.

This vertical arrangement enhances interaction between levels, promoting a cohesive user experience across various activities.

### Material Selection

Material choices reflect both functionality and ecological sensitivity.

- The **steel frame** offers structural stability, while **translucent and opaque glass** elements allow for natural light influx while ensuring privacy.

- The use of **KLH wood** introduces warmth and a biophilic aspect, contrasting with the industrial qualities of steel, and creating a welcoming atmosphere.

- **Textured concrete** serves as a durable grounding material that resonates with the urban landscape.

Additionally, the design incorporates modular elements, allowing for flexible reconfiguration of spaces to adapt to changing functions without necessitating new construction materials. This approach not only increases the site's adaptability but also supports sustainable practices.

The integration of green features, such as planters extending from the building's façade, highlights a commitment to biophilic design principles, enhancing both the aesthetic appeal and user well-being through greater interaction with nature.

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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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Design the next suburban home for the USA

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Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

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