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Curvilinear Coralstone Living Spaces Enhanced by Natural Light and Community Integration

Curvilinear Coralstone Living Spaces Enhanced by Natural Light and Community Integration
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Curvilinear forms shaped from coralstone and designed for optimal airflow create a communal living environment that balances privacy and social interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Curvilinear design enhances airflow and natural light throughout living spaces.
02
Use of coralstone provides thermal regulation and local relevance.
03
Open atrium design fosters community interaction and connectivity.
04
Arched roofs contribute to passive cooling strategies in arid climates.
05
Integration of metal grating creates dynamic light patterns within interiors.

### Project Overview

This residential design proposal emphasizes a versatile living environment that balances privacy with communal engagement. Located in a climate typically characterized by arid conditions, the project reflects an understanding of local cultural practices and environmental challenges. The architectural intent centers on fostering a multi-functional atmosphere that accommodates the evolving needs of its inhabitants, featuring a prominent façade and thoughtfully organized spatial arrangements.

### Spatial Strategy

At the core of the design, the first floor is configured as a central atrium that integrates dining, living, and entertainment areas, promoting social interaction among residents. The public spaces are intentionally designed to encourage communal activities, while private zones are distinctly separated to ensure individual comfort. The integration of traditional elements, such as a *majlis*, alongside contemporary living spaces highlights a sensitivity to cultural values and social dynamics. The vertical connection throughout the home maintains visual links to the atrium, facilitating fluid movement and interaction across various living areas.

### Materiality and Sustainability

The project employs a distinctive selection of materials focused on sustainability and local relevance. The primary structural framework consists of concrete, ensuring durability, while limestone and coral stone are used for aesthetic appeal and thermal performance. Wood offers warmth within the interiors, and glass panels incorporated in vaulted sections optimize natural light while managing glare. Metal grating on the upper structure introduces a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. These material choices collectively enhance the building’s ecological efficiency, offering passive cooling solutions and reducing energy consumption. Additionally, strategies for natural ventilation are integrated into the design geometry, minimizing reliance on mechanical systems. With considerations such as potential rainwater harvesting incorporated into the roof design, the residence effectively addresses both environmental and functional imperatives.

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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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Prize Monetary award
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Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

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The Architect’s 
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MICROHOME 2026

Design a new concept of small-scale home and share a prize fund of 100,000€

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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

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Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 February 2026

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