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Dichroic Design Featuring Sound-Absorbing Panels and Energy-Generating Flooring

Authors:
Julia Mainenti, Dario Ricci
Dichroic Design Featuring Sound-Absorbing Panels and Energy-Generating Flooring
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A conical structure with a mirrored exterior and multicolored dichroic film panels integrates innovative sound absorption and energy-generating flooring to create an immersive space for user engagement and enjoyment.
5 key facts about this project
01
A conical form enhances airflow and natural light within the space.
02
Mirrored surfaces provide acoustic benefits while reflecting the environment.
03
Multicolored dichroic film creates dynamic visual effects based on angles.
04
Touchscreen panels offer interactive music experiences for users.
05
Flooring generates energy from user movement through Pavegen technology.

The Hexagon project offers a unique architectural solution designed to enhance the relationship between users and their environment. It features a conical shape that serves as a primary design element, promoting a functional connection between the interior and the outside landscape. The hexagonal base supports this form, ensuring both stability and an appealing aesthetic.

Concept and Form

Hexagon's distinctive conical shape creates a dialogue between its interior spaces and the surroundings. This design allows for optimal natural light and airflow while still maintaining privacy for users. The geometry emphasizes a modern approach to creating immersive experiences within a compact area, aiming to enrich the user’s time spent inside.

Materials and Surfaces

A mix of surfaces enhances the experience within Hexagon. The opaque sections utilize a mirrored finish combined with sound-absorbing panels, improving the acoustic properties of the space. Embedded touch screen panels offer auditory and interactive features, catering to contemporary needs for entertainment and information.

On the other hand, the transparent sections consist of acrylic panels layered with multicolored dichroic film. This film changes appearance based on viewing angles, adding a dynamic visual quality. The interplay of light and color creates engaging moments throughout the day, deepening the connection to the environment.

Sustainable Design Features

An important aspect of Hexagon is its commitment to sustainability. The flooring system uses Pavegen technology, which captures kinetic energy from footsteps. This feature highlights the aim of harnessing everyday actions for energy production, linking users to the ecological systems around them.

The conical opening at the top allows for continuous air exchange while maintaining a sense of openness. This design fosters a connection with the outside environment, establishing Hexagon as a place that balances functionality with ecological awareness. The thoughtful details create an inviting space while promoting sustainable practices.

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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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