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Elevated Water Terrace Crafted from Cross-Laminated Timber Panels

Authors:
Laura Zura - Puntaroni, Matilde Valagussa, Andrea Brambilla, Alberto Benetti Genolini
Elevated Water Terrace Crafted from Cross-Laminated Timber Panels
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Constructed with cross-laminated timber panels and raised above a tranquil water surface, the design creates a seamless integration of nature and space, serving as a multifunctional environment for communal interaction and private reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using cross-laminated timber panels, enhancing structural integrity while reducing environmental impact.
02
Incorporates charred wooden shingles, providing natural fire resistance and a distinct aesthetic.
03
Features a bent A-frame design that allows for optimal light capture and visual connection to the surroundings.
04
Raised above a tranquil water body, minimizing land disturbance and promoting a serene environment.
05
Integrated water terraces encourage ecological interaction and enhance the overall experience of the space.

### Project Overview
The "suSPAnded" project is situated above a natural water body, aiming to create an integrated relationship between the built environment and its surrounding ecosystem. This design emphasizes user interaction with nature and promotes sustainability while providing a multifaceted experience that encourages reflection and engagement.

### Materiality and Construction
A deliberate selection of materials forms the foundation of the project, enhancing its thematic focus on sustainability and connectivity. Natural timber serves as the primary structural material, fostering warmth and a direct link to the environment. The integration of glass facilitates transparency and light penetration, fostering visual continuity with the landscape. Complementing these materials, steel ensures structural integrity while enabling a lightweight construction.

Water features are not only aesthetic but also serve functional roles, enriching the spatial experience and encouraging interaction. Stone contributes a tactile contrast, grounding the design in its context. Concrete elements are utilized in pathways and foundational supports, balancing organic textures with durability.

### Spatial Configuration and User Experience
The design delineates private and public spaces through a carefully organized spatial layout. The main living area promotes social interaction and opens to outdoor spaces, enhancing the dialogue between interior environments and nature.

The elevated structure offers panoramic views and introduces unique interactions with the wildlife below, fostering contemplative and communal gathering spaces. Landscape design incorporates organic forms that reflect natural rhythms, inviting playful and tranquil engagements. Interior spaces, characterized by wooden finishes and expansive openings, provide a retreat-oriented atmosphere that encourages both relaxation and social exchange.

This project initiates discussions on architectural approaches that enhance user experiences while remaining deeply rooted in environmental considerations.

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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.

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20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
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