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Foldable Housing Solution Utilizing Recycled Tarps and Flexible Walls for Urban Nomads

Foldable Housing Solution Utilizing Recycled Tarps and Flexible Walls for Urban Nomads
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Utilizing recycled tarps and movable walls, this modular housing solution addresses the needs of urban nomads by offering a flexible living space that adapts to various configurations and functions.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes recycled tarps for weather-resistant exterior surfaces.
02
Features movable walls to enable flexible interior configurations.
03
Incorporates a central multifunctional space for social interaction.
04
Designed to facilitate easy assembly and disassembly for relocatability.
05
Optimizes spatial perception through strategic optical illusion elements.

### Project Overview
The design project, "Token," addresses the housing needs of young professionals in South Korea, referred to as "K-nomads," who frequently face challenges related to unstable living conditions due to high property prices in urban areas. The project introduces a flexible housing solution characterized by a "foldable house" concept, which adapts to the transient lifestyles of its occupants while fostering a sense of community and personal identity.

### Spatial Strategy
The floor plan of Token features a central "token" area that incorporates essential amenities, including a bathroom, bed, kitchen, and dining space. This configuration allows for visual continuity and facilitates movement throughout the home. Notable design elements include flexible open spaces that can be rearranged to serve multiple functions—such as workspace, communal area, or dining space—thus accommodating various needs. The inclusion of movable walls enhances privacy and provides occupants with the ability to configure their living environment based on immediate requirements. Additionally, the incorporation of optical illusions, through narrow shapes, creates a perception of spaciousness, challenging traditional notions of confined living.

### Materiality and Sustainability
Token places significant emphasis on sustainable material choices that support adaptability. Interior finishes utilize recycled fabric for sound insulation, while recycled truck tarps serve as durable exterior surfaces. Structural elements are constructed from cement for cost-effectiveness and robustness, complemented by the warmth of wood selected for interior furniture and fittings. Specific areas feature stone to introduce a natural aesthetic. These materials are chosen not only to minimize ecological impact but also to reinforce the design’s ethos of being easily assembled or disassembled, thereby facilitating relocatability as the needs of occupants evolve.

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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
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