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Foldable Facade and Indoor Garden in a Compact Home Constructed with Natural Stone and Nano-Fiber Insulation

Foldable Facade and Indoor Garden in a Compact Home Constructed with Natural Stone and Nano-Fiber Insulation
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With a foldable facade that seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor spaces, this compact home employs natural stone and advanced insulation materials to create a sustainable living environment in an efficient footprint.
5 key facts about this project
01
The home utilizes a foldable facade to enhance indoor-outdoor connectivity.
02
Natural stone is employed for both structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.
03
Advanced nano-fiber insulation provides superior thermal performance.
04
An integrated indoor garden contributes to air quality and wellness.
05
Solar panels are seamlessly incorporated into the design for energy efficiency.

## Architectural Design Report: Essential Micro Home

### Overview

The Essential Micro Home is situated within a sandy landscape and is designed with a focus on sustainability, privacy, and efficient space utilization. With a compact footprint of 25 square meters, the structure incorporates two primary volumes—Day and Night—along with an internal garden that enhances livability. The intent of the design is to create various spaces that foster different levels of intimacy and privacy, catering to the diverse needs of its occupants.

### Spatial Organization and User Experience

The interior layout prioritizes functionality and comfort, comprising distinct areas for different activities. The living area serves as the central gathering space, designed to facilitate interaction while promoting openness. The kitchen and dining area provide a functional yet inviting environment for culinary activities and communal dining experiences. In contrast, the bedroom is positioned for tranquility, ensuring privacy away from communal spaces. The internal garden is a pivotal feature, integrating nature into daily living, while a swimming pool adjacent to the garden enhances recreational opportunities and visual interest.

### Material Selection and Sustainability Features

The Essential Micro Home utilizes local and eco-friendly materials to minimize its environmental impact. Key materials include natural stone for structural integrity, nano-fiber insulation that provides superior thermal and acoustic performance, and holographic film on glass to optimize energy efficiency without sacrificing natural light. Additionally, recycled materials are incorporated throughout the design.

Sustainability measures include the installation of solar panels to harness renewable energy, water management systems to conserve water, and innovative ventilation strategies to ensure adequate air circulation in a hot, arid climate. The incorporation of a foldable façade allows the living space to blend seamlessly with the outdoor terrace, enhancing the overall living experience while showcasing an effective use of space and resources.

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Enter an open architecture
competition now

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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.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

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MICROHOME 2026

Design a new concept of small-scale home and share a prize fund of 100,000€

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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

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