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Elevated Living Spaces Featuring Recycled Plastic Panels and Plywood Construction

Elevated Living Spaces Featuring Recycled Plastic Panels and Plywood Construction
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Utilizing an elevated design with plywood construction and recycled plastic panels, this residence offers a sustainable solution to flood resilience while maximizing adaptable living spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated living spaces provide protection against flooding while maintaining accessibility.
02
Recycled plastic panels integrate sustainability into the structural design.
03
Flexibility in interior layout allows for dynamic use of space throughout the day.
04
Green roofs enhance biodiversity and offer opportunities for urban agriculture.
05
Plywood sandwich panels deliver insulation and structural strength in a lightweight form.

**Overview**
Located in an area susceptible to flooding, "Upside Down" presents an innovative approach to residential architecture that prioritizes adaptability and self-sufficiency. The design addresses climate-related challenges by reconfiguring traditional aspects of home layouts, allowing for enhanced resilience against environmental emergencies. By elevating the ground floor while repurposing the roof as a functional living space, the project offers a practical solution to sustainable living in a changing climate.

**Material Usage and Environmental Strategy**
The construction employs a range of sustainable materials, including plywood sandwich panels, which provide lightweight durability and insulation. The integration of thermo-acoustic insulation within walls promotes energy efficiency, while recycled plastic panels in the external finishes exemplify a commitment to resource conservation. Wood elements contribute warmth and visual appeal, and clay is utilized in external applications to enhance cooling and weather resistance.

The environmental impact strategy includes a gravity-fed rainwater collection system to manage water resources effectively, ensuring accessibility even during dry periods. The elevated design safeguards against flooding, while green roofs and terraces promote urban agriculture, fostering sustainability. Additionally, a passive alert system provides real-time weather updates, enabling residents to make necessary adjustments and enhance the building’s overall climate resilience.

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

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