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Modular Living Units with Steel Frames and Sustainable Cork Insulation for Community Resilience

Modular Living Units with Steel Frames and Sustainable Cork Insulation for Community Resilience
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Modular units constructed with steel frames and enhanced by sustainable cork insulation provide efficient living solutions that foster community engagement for migrant workers.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular configuration allows easy customization to fit varying family structures.
02
Innovative window system opens up to 90 degrees for enhanced space and light.
03
Integrated hydroponic gardens promote self-sufficiency within limited space.
04
Sustainable cork insulation contributes to energy efficiency and comfort.
05
Design adheres to local transport regulations for modular mobility.

### Overview

Located in South Korea, the Continuous Community Container (CCC) is an architectural design initiative focused on addressing housing challenges faced by migrant workers. The project seeks to provide sustainable and community-oriented living solutions within a limited spatial footprint of 25 square meters, adhering to regulations set by the Road Traffic Act for modular units. Each unit is designed to enhance livability while responding to the specific needs and conditions of this demographic.

### Design Principles

The CCC features a modular design consisting of various "cartridges" that allow for customized living arrangements, including a Family Main Module, Individual Cartridge, and Social Cartridge. This flexibility supports diverse lifestyles and facilitates user involvement in shaping their living spaces. An innovative window system enhances connectivity with the outside environment by allowing windows to open up to 90 degrees, thereby promoting interaction among residents.

### Sustainability and Materiality

Incorporating renewable energy solutions, the project features photovoltaic panels for solar energy generation and rainwater harvesting systems, positioning the units toward self-sufficiency. The material palette is deliberately chosen to enhance structural integrity and energy efficiency, comprising container wall and roof panels, a steel frame structure, cork insulation, and components for hydroponic gardens. These selections contribute to the overall sustainability goals of the design.

### Spatial Configuration

The layout of the CCC comprises multiple modular units organized to provide both privacy and opportunities for social interaction. Dedicated community corridors connect individual units while fostering areas for communal activities. The design ensures that each unit allocates space efficiently for essential facilities such as kitchens and shared living areas, balancing personal living with community engagement.

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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.

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
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

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