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Cube-Shaped Home with Thermo-Panels and Eco-Friendly Features

Authors:
Evgenia Mihaylova, Daniel Yakimov, Atanas Petrov, Iva Zlateva
Cube-Shaped Home with Thermo-Panels and Eco-Friendly Features
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Constructed as a compact cube, this off-grid home utilizes thermo-panels and solar energy to achieve sustainable living while providing essential spaces for modern lifestyles.
5 key facts about this project
01
Built on a platform foundation to minimize terrain disruption.
02
Utilizes solar panels for energy independence and efficiency.
03
Features smart furniture to enhance adaptability in compact spaces.
04
Incorporates rainwater collection systems for sustainable water management.
05
Constructed with a cube shape for optimal space utilization.

The Cube House, located in Bulgaria, showcases a modern approach to compact living. Designed for those seeking a sustainable lifestyle, it offers a minimal footprint while providing essential living spaces. The concept challenges the idea that larger homes are necessary for comfort and functionality.

Design Concept

The structure features a simple cube form that maximizes space efficiency. It encompasses a bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, and workspace within its compact size of 25 m². The house rests on a platform-like foundation that minimizes the impact on the surrounding terrain. This design allows for easy transportation, accommodating users who may require mobility in their housing arrangements.

Functionality and Adaptability

Inside, the layout emphasizes practicality through smart furniture solutions designed to enhance adaptability. Spaces can change to meet the varying needs of the inhabitants, allowing for a fluid living experience. This approach ensures comfort without sacrificing the overall utility of the compact design.

Sustainability and Technology

Energy independence is a key focus of the Cube House. Technologies such as composting toilets, solar panels, and biogas systems are seamlessly integrated, enabling self-sufficiency. The inclusion of rainwater collection systems further promotes sustainable living by utilizing natural resources.

Materiality

The Cube House employs wood, glass, and thermo-panels to create a lightweight, durable structure. These materials contribute to a modern aesthetic that aligns with the minimalist philosophy. The extensive use of glass facilitates natural light, making the interior feel open and inviting while reducing the need for artificial lighting.

The combination of a simple cube shape with multifunctional design highlights a commitment to ecological awareness and contemporary living needs. Each element of the house works together to create a practical yet comfortable environment.

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Enter an open architecture
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MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
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
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

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