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Harmonizing Solitude and Community Within Secluded Spaces

Author:
Collin Carder
Harmonizing Solitude and Community Within Secluded Spaces
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Combining the warmth of The Hearth with the tranquility of The Hut, the design creates a balanced environment that fosters both community interaction and individual solitude for its users.
5 key facts about this project
01
The design includes a central gathering place called The Hearth, encouraging community engagement.
02
The Hut provides a secluded area for personal reflection, balancing social and private needs.
03
A showcasing Viewing Mechanism connects users to the surrounding landscape, enhancing interaction with nature.
04
The Ramp promotes accessibility throughout the space, ensuring ease of movement between zones.
05
Distinct architectural features prioritize user experience, creating a dynamic yet functional environment.

ZOETROPE is an architectural design that focuses on combining communal and private spaces within a thoughtfully organized environment. The project is aimed at encouraging social interaction while also providing areas for quiet reflection. The design centers around The Hearth, a place for gathering, and The Hut, which offers solitude. This balance creates a space that caters to a variety of user needs.

The Hearth
The Hearth serves as a central gathering point, designed to facilitate social connections. It is an inviting space where people can come together to share experiences and form community bonds. The warmth of The Hearth is crafted to encourage occupants to engage with one another. Its location within the overall layout emphasizes its role in fostering interaction among users.

The Hut
In contrast to The Hearth, The Hut provides a more intimate space for personal contemplation. This area is intended as a retreat from the communal activities, offering privacy for quiet moments or reflection. The design of The Hut reflects the project's understanding of the need for solitude, balancing interaction with personal space.

The Ramp
An important element in the layout, The Ramp allows for easy movement through the various spaces. It connects areas without obstruction, making it simple for users to navigate between the communal and individual zones. This careful design ensures that everyone can engage with the different parts of the environment comfortably.

Viewing Mechanism
The Viewing Mechanism introduces an additional dimension to the design by enhancing the connection between users and the surrounding environment. This feature encourages interaction with both the interior spaces and the outside landscape. It adds to the experience of the design, inviting users to become engaged with their surroundings in a meaningful way.

The arrangement of spaces within ZOETROPE creates a diverse environment that responds to both community and personal needs. The careful placement of The Hearth, The Hut, and The Ramp highlights a thoughtful approach to user interaction. As light and space interact throughout the design, they enrich the overall experience for those who inhabit it.

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

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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.

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