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Exploring Community Through Wood Panels and Natural Light

Authors:
Daniela Arango, Daniel Blanco, Mateo Soto, Carolina Upegui
Exploring Community Through Wood Panels and Natural Light
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With modular visitor cabins framed by wood panels that maximize natural light, the design fosters a communal environment centered around tea production and reflection within a diverse landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cabins are designed with modular sections to adapt to varying site conditions.
02
A grid system organizes the layout, enhancing spatial relationships between elements.
03
Natural light is maximized through large glass panels, blurring indoor and outdoor boundaries.
04
The project promotes community through shared bathrooms and interactive pathways.
05
Tea workshops are integrated into the barn, creating a functional hub for learning and gathering.

The design is set in a diverse landscape featuring forest clearings, rocky terrains, and open grass areas. It seeks to explore the connection between the natural environment and built structures. The layout is organized around a grid system, which helps create a friendly space for both community engagement and personal reflection. The idea of tea culture is central to the design, influencing both its form and functions.

Core Elements of the Design

At the heart of the design are two significant structures: the barn and the concept living room. These elements are placed strategically at the forest clear and lakeshore, acting as key gathering points for visitors. The barn is dedicated to tea production and associated activities, while the living room offers a place for communal gatherings focused on enjoying tea and quiet contemplation.

Modular Visitor Cabins

Small modular cabins serve as accommodations for visitors, allowing for a thoughtful integration of living spaces within the surrounding landscape. Each cabin features distinct sections that can be arranged in flexible ways to meet different needs. The inclusion of shared bathrooms and clearly defined paths encourages interaction among guests, establishing a sense of community and enhancing the overall experience.

Architectural Interventions

Throughout the site, well-placed architectural features create varied experiences that resonate with the landscape. Platforms extend over bodies of water, providing places for quiet reflection while maintaining connections to the beautiful surroundings. These transitional spaces are carefully designed, making it easy for visitors to move from intimate to larger gathering areas.

Materials and Textural Elements

The design features specific materials, including wood panels used in the framing of the cabins. This choice enhances warmth and durability. Glass panels are incorporated to allow plenty of natural light, helping to connect interior spaces with the outdoor environment. Additionally, hanging linen fabric is utilized, offering versatility in design and creating a welcoming atmosphere in both cabins and public areas. The softening of light enhances the feeling of comfort across the project.

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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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