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Modular Facades Enhanced with Lightweight Concrete and Steel Frames for Sustainable Community Living

Modular Facades Enhanced with Lightweight Concrete and Steel Frames for Sustainable Community Living
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Modular façades constructed with lightweight concrete and steel frames redefine urban living spaces, enhancing community interaction and functionality within the residential blocks of Saltivka.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular design allows for customizable living spaces that adapt to resident needs.
02
Winter gardens are transformed into functional areas enhancing natural light and usability.
03
Community-oriented features encourage social interaction among residents.
04
Steel frames enable flexible facade configurations without compromising structural integrity.
05
Lightweight concrete reduces construction time and minimizes environmental impact.

## Project Overview

The architectural design project focuses on improving existing residential structures in Saltivka, a neighborhood characterized by challenges related to spatial efficiency and livability. The primary intent is to implement a "RETROFIT-SYSTEM" that enhances the functionality and aesthetic appeal of these blocks while promoting community interaction. This approach integrates current structures with new modular designs to address diverse resident needs without extensive demolition or disruption.

## Spatial Strategy and Community Engagement

The project’s spatial strategy emphasizes the activation of underutilized areas, particularly dysfunctional winter gardens and communal spaces. By refining these typologies, the design aims to optimize light quality and usability, transforming winter gardens into vibrant spaces for leisure while enhancing communal areas into hubs for social interaction. A comprehensive analysis of individual blocks informs the development of a "universal toolkit," comprising modular elements with adjustable depths and adaptable façades, which allows for tailored responses to user requirements while maintaining a cohesive architectural language.

## Materiality and Design Flexibility

The choice of materials is grounded in modern building practices that underscore sustainability and functionality. The structural framework incorporates steel frames for integrity, lightweight concrete for walls and ceilings, and glass panels to facilitate natural light and visual connections to the outdoors. Wood elements are utilized in shared spaces to introduce warmth and acoustic benefits. The flexibility inherent in the modular design not only accommodates specific user preferences but also integrates public and private domains, enhancing movement and connectivity throughout Saltivka. Public modules are designed to serve multiple functions, including cafes and libraries, fostering diverse communal activities.

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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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Design the next suburban home for the USA

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Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

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