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Cross-Laminated Timber Units for Flexible Family Living

Authors:
Srujana Bhoopanam, Chih Ping Liu, Yueh Hui Chen
Cross-Laminated Timber Units for Flexible Family Living
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Cross-laminated timber forms the backbone of a flexible residential unit designed to adapt to the changing needs of families while promoting sustainable living through innovative space organization and resource efficiency.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cross-laminated timber provides structural integrity while promoting sustainability.
02
Flexible interior layout allows for easy reconfiguration as family needs change.
03
Units can be combined in clusters to enhance community connection and resource sharing.
04
Energy-efficient features reduce overall water and energy consumption.
05
Adaptable design supports various family sizes and life stages seamlessly.

The "Versatile" architectural design project presents a thoughtful solution for modern residential living, addressing the needs of middle-class families. Located in an adaptable environment, the concept aims to provide a home that changes along with its inhabitants. With an area of approximately 90 square meters, it is designed for flexibility, allowing different family configurations through its innovative layout and features.

Flexible Spatial Organization

The layout of “Versatile” promotes adaptability, ensuring it meets various family needs. It supports different life stages, from couples to larger families, encouraging fluid transitions between spaces. Elements such as sliding partition doors and movable furniture incorporated into a rail system allow residents to modify their surroundings easily. This design creates a convenient living space without sacrificing coherence.

Sustainability Through Design

Sustainability is an important aspect of the design. Cross-laminated timber serves as the primary material, highlighting the commitment to environmentally friendly construction. This material is chosen for its durability while ensuring minimal impact on the environment. By prefabricating components, the assembly process is efficient and reduces waste on-site. Additionally, features like dual flush toilets and water-saving faucets contribute to minimizing resource consumption in daily use.

Community Orientation and Connectivity

The design encourages a sense of community by allowing for the combination of several units into groups of three or six. This arrangement optimizes land use and fosters social interaction among residents. Shared resources and communal spaces enhance the feeling of belonging, making it suitable for diverse urban settings. This aspect of the project ensures flexibility while adhering to various urban planning regulations and environmental contexts.

Navigating through the interiors reveals the careful blend of adaptable spaces and sustainable practices. Each area serves a specific function while remaining open to reconfiguration, reinforcing the essential idea of versatility. This design approach prioritizes both practical needs and environmental awareness, creating spaces that grow and change alongside their inhabitants.

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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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