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Membrane Facade with Wind Towers Enhances Climate Adaptation in Sustainable Desert Residence

Membrane Facade with Wind Towers Enhances Climate Adaptation in Sustainable Desert Residence
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The use of a lightweight membrane facade and strategically placed wind towers allows for effective climate adaptation in a sustainable residence designed for desert living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Membrane facade enhances thermal performance and aesthetic integration within the desert landscape.
02
Wind towers are utilized for passive ventilation, reducing reliance on mechanical cooling.
03
Flexible layout allows for modular living spaces that adapt to changing family needs.
04
Ceramic tiles are strategically used for thermal comfort and outdoor durability.
05
Integration of outdoor areas encourages seamless indoor-outdoor living experiences.

### Overview

The design of the House of the Future is situated within an arid landscape, drawing inspiration from traditional Middle Eastern architectural elements while integrating modern sustainability practices. This residential structure addresses contemporary living needs through an innovative approach that harmonizes the built environment with its surrounding context, enhancing functionality and inhabitant comfort.

### Spatial Configuration and User Adaptability

The layout of the House of the Future reflects a thoughtful arrangement of private and communal spaces. The ground floor encompasses utility areas such as the garage and kitchen, leading to main living areas that open to the outdoor pool and dining spaces, thereby promoting an indoor-outdoor lifestyle. The first floor hosts private quarters, facilitating personal retreat while maintaining a connection to communal functions. The design encourages flexibility, allowing for reconfiguration to accommodate changing familial needs or social gatherings, thereby extending the home’s lifecycle and relevance.

### Materiality and Environmental Integration

Key materials have been selected to enhance both the aesthetic and functional performance of the structure. The external membrane consists of weather-resistant materials that provide durability integrated with visual appeal, while the core structural elements are supported by concrete to withstand harsh climatic conditions. Strategically placed glass elements facilitate natural lighting and unobstructed views, complementing the interior ceramic tiles that maintain thermal comfort. This interplay of materials not only creates an engaging facade but also enhances thermal efficiency through advanced passive cooling techniques, such as wind towers and perforated facades, effectively utilizing natural breezes for climate control.

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Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
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

Open architecture competitions

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Design a story of your country

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Iceland 
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Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 28 January 2026
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

Recurring architecture competitions

The Home of 
Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 14 January 2026
The Architect’s 
Stair

Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 15 January 2026
The Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 22 January 2026
Re:Form - 
New Life 
for Old Spaces

Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

Edition #2 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 4 February 2026
new
MICROHOME 2026

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

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 11 February 2026
new
Museum of 
Emotions

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #8 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 25 February 2026
new
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026

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

100,000€ Prize / 2026 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 February 2026

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