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Green Roof Sanctuary Featuring Local Oak and Calçada Portuguesa for Community Engagement

Authors:
Martin Chavanne, Jim Compton, Madi Cannon, Matthew Robinson
Green Roof Sanctuary Featuring Local Oak and Calçada Portuguesa for Community Engagement
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A green roof enhances the sensory experience of a wine-tasting house, built with local oak and Calçada Portuguesa, designed to foster community interaction and connection to the landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
A green roof cultivates biodiversity while providing insulation.
02
Local oak is used throughout for structural elements and furnishings.
03
Calçada Portuguesa flooring incorporates traditional Portuguese craftsmanship.
04
The central courtyard promotes outdoor interaction and engagement.
05
Natural acoustic design enhances the sensory experience during tastings.

## Overview

The Abertura Tasting House is located in the rolling hills of the countryside, designed to provide an immersive experience that integrates taste, sight, sound, and community. The architectural intent focuses on establishing a profound relationship between nature, culture, and shared living. The building embodies the characteristics of the surrounding landscape while serving as a functional space for wine tasting and community engagement.

### Spatial Configuration and Community Focus

The design prioritizes communal interaction and reflective experiences, featuring an open layout that enhances social connectivity. The central courtyard serves as a pivotal gathering space, effectively merging indoor and outdoor environments. Tasting rooms are equipped with expansive glass doors to maximize natural light and facilitate a welcoming atmosphere for large gatherings. In contrast, intimate guest suites are designed to offer privacy while employing local materials that resonate with the regional aesthetic.

### Material Selection and Sustainability

The material palette emphasizes sustainability and local craftsmanship. The exterior showcases a green roof supported by wooden beams, promoting biodiversity and providing visual harmony with the environment. The facade utilizes white stucco, ensuring a minimal yet elegant presence on the landscape. Interior spaces are detailed with Portuguese stone flooring known as Calçada Portuguesa, low-profile oak furniture, and arched clay tiles that highlight traditional craftsmanship. These elements not only enhance the sensory experience but also reflect a commitment to environmentally integrated design, allowing the structure to coexist harmoniously with its natural surroundings.

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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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