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Dark Stone and Etfe Skin Merging Community Spaces in a High-Altitude Retreat

Authors:
Xuan Tung Dang, Duc Tuyen Le, Kim Ngan Dang, Nhat Huy Dang
Dark Stone and Etfe Skin Merging Community Spaces in a High-Altitude Retreat
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The use of dark stone and lightweight ETFE skin creates a unique contrast in a high-altitude retreat designed for communal living and reflection, offering visitors an immersive experience in a stunning natural landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Built using local dark stone to enhance thermal comfort in high-altitude conditions.
02
Incorporates an ETFE skin that provides natural light while ensuring efficient insulation.
03
Designed with distinct Sky Huts positioned for optimal views of the surrounding landscape.
04
Features advanced water harvesting systems tailored for melting snow and ice collection.
05
Community spaces are strategically placed to encourage social interaction among visitors.

## Architectural Design Report: Milkyeyes Project

### Overview

The Milkyeyes project is situated in the Himalayan region, aiming to create an architectural solution that fosters engagement with the surrounding natural and cultural landscapes. Designed as a place for rest and observation, it serves as an interface between visitors and the striking mountainous environment, integrating aspects of personal reflection, community, and cultural appreciation.

### Spatial Strategy

The project comprises two primary structures: **Sky Huts** and **Earth Huts**. Sky Huts are elevated to provide expansive views and include communal areas for various activities, promoting interaction among visitors while enhancing their connection to the sky. In contrast, Earth Huts are positioned closer to the ground, offering essential amenities and facilities that accommodate lower altitudes with minimal adaptation to the rugged terrain, thus emphasizing sustainability and comfort.

### Materiality and Sustainability

A commitment to local materials underscores the project’s design, which aims for aesthetic integration with the environment while bolstering local economies. Key materials include dark stone for structural walls, which offers durability and thermal mass, and wood finishes that add warmth to the interiors. The innovative use of ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) foil allows natural light to illuminate the spaces while ensuring insulation and lightweight transport—essential in the remote location. The project's sustainability initiatives include advanced water collection systems designed to capture melting snow and ice, alongside solar panels that enable energy self-sufficiency, aligning with ecological principles in high-altitude settings.

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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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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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