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Integrating Natural Light with Travertine and Glass in a Modern Family Residence

Integrating Natural Light with Travertine and Glass in a Modern Family Residence
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With a distinctive blend of travertine and expansive glass elements, the residence achieves comprehensive natural light integration while delivering functional spaces for family living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates a double-height lobby to enhance spatial experience and natural light.
02
Utilizes travertine at the entry for durability and aesthetic appeal.
03
Features expansive glass walls for seamless indoor-outdoor connectivity.
04
Includes flexible space designs to adapt to evolving family needs.
05
Integrates sustainable elements like solar energy systems for efficiency.

**Overview**

Situated in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the House of the Future occupies a plot area of 450 square meters, comprising a built area of 294 square meters. The design intent combines historical and cultural influences with contemporary architecture, promoting a dialogue between the past and modern living. The structure emphasizes a harmonious relationship with its social context while adapting to the nuances of current lifestyle demands.

**Spatial Organization**

The project features a distinct spatial layout that prioritizes functionality and connectivity. A prominent entryway leads to a double-height lobby that serves as a gallery, allowing natural light to permeate the space through a large fixed window. The ground floor is structured to facilitate interaction between indoor and outdoor environments, with garden views accessible from key living areas. The design delineates zones for guests, bedrooms, and private family spaces, promoting both privacy and openness while optimizing natural light and ventilation throughout.

**Material Selection and Sustainability**

A thoughtful selection of materials underscores the project's commitment to sustainability and aesthetic coherence. Concrete provides structural integrity, while travertine enhances the lobby's exterior with natural beauty and durability. Large glass windows and doors promote transparency, connecting occupants with the surrounding environment. Metal accents and stone cladding contribute both modernity and textured warmth, while wood finishes offer a traditional touch.

Sustainability features include strategically placed windows and skylights for natural light optimization, as well as provisions for water storage and solar energy systems. The design anticipates future adaptability, allowing for the potential horizontal expansion of the second floor, thus minimizing disruption to the existing structure. Additionally, the integration of fluid indoor spaces encourages family interaction and social engagement, reinforcing the home’s connection to both inhabitants and 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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Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

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