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Exploring Fluidity in Layered Virtual Worlds for Engaging Community Interactions

Author:
Boliang Yu
Exploring Fluidity in Layered Virtual Worlds for Engaging Community Interactions
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Layering multiple virtual worlds within a fluid spatial interface, the design creates an engaging environment for community interactions that transcends traditional boundaries of home.
5 key facts about this project
01
The design integrates a multi-layered virtual environment to enhance user interaction.
02
Rooms act as dynamic interfaces, allowing for personalized and adaptable experiences.
03
The absence of physical materials emphasizes a focus on digital technology and immersive design.
04
Users can navigate through different virtual worlds, encouraging exploration and engagement.
05
The spatial interface supports fluid identity, enabling varied self-presentation in virtual settings.

The architectural design focuses on the connection between virtual reality technology and the concept of home. It reimagines traditional living spaces by creating a virtual home that allows individuals to explore multiple realities and engage with their surroundings in unique ways. The design encourages active participation, inviting users to step beyond physical constraints and experience a range of environments.

Virtual Environment Dynamics

The design positions the virtual home as a gateway to various virtual worlds. Users can shift smoothly between spaces, including bedrooms, living rooms, workrooms, meeting rooms, and gardens. Each area is designed not as a fixed location but as a flexible interface that adapts to user needs. This approach promotes personal exploration and interaction, making it possible to define domestic experiences in a way that resonates with contemporary life.

Spatial Interface and User Interaction

A key feature of the design is its spatial interface, which connects users to a second-level virtual world (Lv.2 VR). This connection enables easy navigation and immersive experiences. The interface encompasses an imaginative approach to engagement, allowing individuals to manipulate their surroundings in ways that traditional homes cannot offer. The design encourages fluidity in how users experience and interact with their environment.

Layered Realities and Identity

The concept further develops into a third-level virtual world (Lv.3 VR), broadening the scope of possible experiences. This layered design supports diverse identities, allowing users to express themselves in varying forms and connect with a range of settings. It fosters both individual activities and group interactions, acknowledging the complexity of modern social life.

One notable aspect of the design is its absence of physical materials. This shift signifies a focus on digital technologies that create immersive environments. While traditional architecture revolves around physical structures, this approach emphasizes ideas and experiences. The architecture does not exist as a solid form but rather as a collection of interconnected possibilities, inviting continual engagement and exploration.

The design articulates a new understanding of home and community, showcasing how living spaces can respond to contemporary needs. The focus is on creating environments that reflect personal identities and enhance user experiences. Each element of the design encourages deeper interaction with both the virtual and real world, allowing for a richer understanding of space and presence in everyday life.

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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

`
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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Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
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Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

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