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Dark Stone and Glass Openings in a Community Space Fostering Landscape Connection

Author:
Stephanie Fan
Dark Stone and Glass Openings in a Community Space Fostering Landscape Connection
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With a focus on dark stone and expansive glass openings, the design creates a strong connection to the surrounding landscape while serving as a multifunctional community space.
5 key facts about this project
01
Dark stone exterior enhances thermal performance and integrates with the natural surroundings.
02
Expansive glass openings provide unobstructed views and abundant natural light throughout the building.
03
The third-floor balcony offers a prime vantage point for viewing the northern lights.
04
A south-facing sunroom design maximizes passive solar gain while protecting the interior from heat loss.
05
Wide landings within the circulation path encourage occupants to pause and engage with the landscape.

The design focuses on creating a strong connection between the building's interior spaces and the landscape outside. Located in a setting that offers unique views, the structure serves as a community space while emphasizing natural light and openness. Large glass openings on the southern walls allow occupants to enjoy unobstructed views, reinforcing the idea that the indoors and outdoors are intertwined.

Design Intent

Visitors experience a carefully planned flow as they move through the building. Upon entering, they find a staircase with balconies that invite exploration. The presence of wide landings helps to slow down movement, encouraging people to pause and appreciate the views of the landscape. This design choice creates a natural rhythm within the space, making it easier for occupants to connect with their surroundings.

Architectural Features

As people reach the third floor, they are faced with two options: to step into the sauna or to venture out onto an outdoor balcony. This balcony, facing north, offers an impressive spot for viewing the northern lights during the evening. This feature enhances the building's relationship with nature, providing not just a space for relaxation but also a place to enjoy natural phenomena.

Material Selection

The building uses local dark stone and concrete within a steel frame, forming an appearance that complements the environment. Its unheated and uncooled exterior shell reflects a commitment to sustainability. The south-facing area serves as a sunroom, inviting sunlight while helping to maintain comfortable temperatures inside. These choices demonstrate a practical response to local climate conditions, improving the building's overall performance.

Carefully planned elements come together to create an environment that promotes interaction with the landscape. The way views are framed, and the pacing of movement within the building encourages contemplation, making the experience of space intertwined with the natural world. Each detail contributes to a setting where occupants can engage with both the building and its surroundings.

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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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Design the next suburban home for the USA

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Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

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