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Floating Towers Reflecting Geological Energy

Authors:
Gota Tasaka, Hitomoi Matsudo, Lin Lin
Floating Towers Reflecting Geological Energy
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Inspired by the floating nature of basalt, three towers utilize a tensegrity structure to harmonize with geological forces while providing essential amenities for visitors and fostering community interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Three towers symbolize the floating nature of basalt formed by tectonic activity.
02
The design incorporates a tensegrity structure for stability and flexibility.
03
A suspended viewing platform enhances visitor interaction with the landscape.
04
The project includes a visitor center with a café and office space.
05
Elements are organized as rocks, ten-segments, and bridges for cohesive integration.

Tensegrity Stone features three towers designed to connect the continents of Europe and North America. The design is inspired by geological processes, particularly the way basalt forms when magma erupts and solidifies. By capturing the energy of tectonic plates, the buildings interact with their natural surroundings and emphasize the geological history of the site.

Structural Composition

The main tower serves as the focal point of the project, symbolizing the way basalt can appear to float in the air. Built using a tensegrity system, the structure maintains both stability and flexibility. This system allows for a lightweight design that adapts to environmental conditions while visually representing concepts of weightlessness and elevation.

Functionality and Engagement

Along with the main tower, there is a parking tower that incorporates a visitor center. This facility includes a small office and a café, offering essential services for visitors. This thoughtful design encourages people to interact with the space, making it more than just a collection of buildings. It enhances the experience for users and fosters a sense of community.

Spatial Experience

Suspended above the towers, a viewing platform allows visitors to take in the landscape from a new perspective. This area encourages exploration and engagement with both the architecture and the environment. It creates an opportunity for users to develop a deeper connection to the spaces surrounding them.

Geological Integration

The project organizes its structural elements into various components: rocks, ten-segments, and bridges. This arrangement creates a fluid connection between different parts of the design. The aim is to harmonize the architecture with the surrounding terrain, allowing the buildings to reflect the appearance of natural geological features.

The careful combination of towers and viewing platform offers an experience that highlights the relationship between geological processes and built structures. The design invites contemplation of the natural world while showcasing an innovative approach to architectural expression.

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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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