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Curved Structure Enhancing Natural Light and User Comfort

Authors:
Karyna Ladutska, Tetiana Kordis, Michał Kuśmierczyk, Mateusz Rutkowski
Curved Structure Enhancing Natural Light and User Comfort
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The oval structure maximizes natural light while adapting to its environment through adjustable roof panels, creating a comfortable and sustainable living space for its residents.
5 key facts about this project
01
The design utilizes an oval form to enhance natural light capture throughout the day.
02
Adjustable roof panels allow for personalized control of indoor brightness.
03
Focus on reducing artificial lighting promotes a healthier living environment.
04
The structure aligns with the sun’s path for optimal energy efficiency.
05
Thoughtful integration of light and shadow creates dynamic interior spaces.

The Cycle redefines the experience of space through a thoughtful approach to light and its relation to users. The design creates a home that feels welcoming and practical, emphasizing comfort and connection to the outside world. Set in a context that allows for the continual play of natural light, the structure uses an oval shape to encourage an inviting indoor environment.

Design Concept

The main idea behind The Cycle centers on reducing the dependence on artificial lighting. By maximizing the use of natural light, the design promotes healthier living patterns, allowing residents to align more closely with day and night rhythms. This focus on light greatly enhances the indoor atmosphere, reflecting a growing awareness of sustainability in everyday living.

Structural Form

The oval shape of the building is instrumental to its overall functionality. This form not only serves an aesthetic purpose but also optimizes sun exposure at various times throughout the day. The building aligns with the sun’s path, ensuring ample light fills the interior spaces. Such design choices create a vibrant environment that evolves with the changing light, enriching the experiences of its occupants.

User-Centric Features

Key features, such as remote-controlled roof panels, allow inhabitants to easily adjust the brightness within their home. This flexibility enhances daily life, offering residents control over their environment to suit different activities and moods. Such an approach highlights the importance of user-centered design, ensuring that comfort and convenience are woven into the fabric of living spaces.

The unique relationship between light and space in The Cycle enriches the interior with varied shadows and highlights. Throughout the day, the way light interacts with the design cultivates an atmosphere that feels alive and dynamic. This thoughtful integration transforms the home into a space where every sunrise and sunset offers a new visual experience.

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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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