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Elevated Green Spaces with Flexible Modular Units for Community Exchange

Authors:
Emmanuel Suárez, Juan Manuel Blanco Peralta, Ignacio Tarda
Elevated Green Spaces with Flexible Modular Units for Community Exchange
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Elevated green spaces integrated with flexible modular units create a dynamic environment for community exchange and self-cultivation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Flexible modular units enable quick reconfiguration for various community needs.
02
Elevated green spaces enhance local biodiversity and provide recreational areas.
03
Rainwater collection systems nourish vegetation within each module.
04
Design promotes self-cultivation and local economic exchange through communal spaces.
05
Dynamic architecture encourages user interaction and active participation.

Cajita is a design that emphasizes adaptability and modularity in an urban context. It serves as a refuge, exploring how architecture can change based on the activities that take place within its spaces. The design fosters a relationship between the built environment and its users, allowing for continuous evolution and responsiveness to changing needs.

Modularity

The core of Cajita is its flexible modular system. This system enables the spaces to be shaped according to how people move and interact. The modular units are designed to be dynamic, changing their configuration as required by occupants. They are not static components but rather parts of a living environment, facilitating engagement and making optimal use of space over time.

Green Integration

Another important feature of Cajita is the inclusion of elevated green spaces. These areas enhance connections to nature and encourage urban biodiversity. By reinterpreting public spaces to incorporate greenery, the design promotes communal interaction. This decision enriches the overall environment, creating a relationship between architecture and nature that contributes to both function and aesthetics.

Water Conservation

An innovative approach to water conservation is also evident in the design. Each module incorporates systems for collecting and recirculating rainwater. This feature supports sustainability by nourishing green elements within the structure. The effective management of water resources reflects a modern understanding of environmental responsibilities, addressing concerns that are increasingly important in today’s world.

Community Engagement

Cajita emphasizes community involvement through designated areas for self-cultivation and exchange. These spaces allow residents to produce, buy, and sell goods locally. By providing a setting for social interaction and supporting local economies, the design fosters a vibrant public atmosphere. The inclusion of a fair and garden brings life to the building, highlighting how architecture can encourage community ties.

The design invites users to inhabit the space actively. It encourages movement and allows for reconfiguration, adapting to meet diverse needs. Each modular unit is capable of supporting different functions, demonstrating a thoughtful response to contemporary challenges in urban living. The result is a structure that is both functional and engaging, inviting ongoing participation from its users.

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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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