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Elevated Public Spaces Forged with Painted Timber and Translucent Polycarbonate

Author:
Lucy Wang
Elevated Public Spaces Forged with Painted Timber and Translucent Polycarbonate
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Incorporating painted timber and translucent polycarbonate, the design creates elevated gathering spaces that foster community interaction and accommodate diverse public activities.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates translucent polycarbonate for natural light penetration and visual connectivity.
02
Features elevated terraces that offer multiple viewpoints for users.
03
Integrates green landscaping elements to promote urban biodiversity.
04
Utilizes painted timber to enhance warmth and vibrancy within the public space.
05
Designed as a flexible venue to accommodate diverse community events.

### Overview
Located in Adelaide, Australia, the Adelaide Creative Square serves as a multifunctional public space designed to enhance social interaction, creativity, and community events. Drawing inspiration from the intricate design of the Italian Piazza del Campo, the square fosters an inclusive environment that encourages gatherings and a strong emotional connection with the surrounding urban fabric. Strategically shaped to create a welcoming atmosphere, the design invites users to engage with both the space and each other, promoting a vibrant community life.

### Spatial Strategy
The layout of the square prioritizes openness and movement, featuring distinct zones that accommodate a variety of activities such as markets, exhibitions, and performances. Elevated terraces offer unique vantage points for observing events and informal socialization, while the integration of ramps and steps ensures accessibility for all users. This carefully considered spatial organization not only facilitates fluid interaction but also aligns with the pre-existing urban context of Adelaide, ensuring a cohesive relationship with adjacent structures.

### Materiality and Sustainability
The selection of materials for the Creative Square emphasizes sustainability and modern design aesthetics. Treated pine serves as the primary material for structural elements, with its warmth and vibrant colors enhancing the visual appeal of the space. Translucent polycarbonate panels are employed in both internal and external walls, allowing natural light to permeate the area while maintaining visual connectivity with the outdoors. A robust steel framework supports the elevated terraces, ensuring durability and safety, while landscaped areas introduce greenery that promotes urban biodiversity and creates a calming atmosphere. Collectively, these materials fulfill functional requirements and enrich the overall user experience within the square.

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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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