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Operable Roof and Modular Panels Reshape Urban Living

Authors:
Snezhana Ryabova, Valeria Perevozchikova, Daria Istomina
Operable Roof and Modular Panels Reshape Urban Living
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An operable roof enhances the modular design using panels, creating flexible public spaces that foster community interaction within a mixed-use residential setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Operable roofs provide flexible public spaces that can be adapted for various community activities.
02
The first residential floor is elevated on pylons, creating additional park space beneath the structures.
03
Modular panels in the façade offer unique design variations while maintaining a cohesive architectural language.
04
Community courtyards serve as focal points, facilitating social interaction among residents.
05
Distinct architectural typologies—tower, tape, and wavy—respond thoughtfully to the urban context.

The project introduces a modular design concept focused on improving urban living through adaptability and community interaction. Located in a culturally significant urban area, it allows residents to adjust their living conditions via a smartphone application. The goal is to address the growing need for personalized residential spaces in contemporary society.

Architectural Typologies

Three distinct typologies emerge from the design: the tower structure, the tape structure, and the wavy structure. Each type arises from an in-depth examination of urban voids, measured by size, shape, and location. This detailed analysis ensures that the buildings connect well with their surroundings and fit harmoniously into the urban environment.

Community Engagement

The design draws from elements of Roman residential architecture, with courtyards that serve as important communal spaces. It carefully separates residential areas from public ones, enhancing privacy while promoting social interactions. The ground floor is dedicated to commercial uses, adding life to the environment and making it accessible for residents and visitors alike.

Innovative Spatial Solutions

Innovative strategies are woven throughout the design. An operable roof offers additional public space, encouraging residents to come together. The first residential floor is elevated on structural pylons, creating open park areas beneath the buildings and contributing positively to the ecological landscape. Public spaces on each level encourage connection and activity among the community members.

Façade and Materiality

The façade consists of modular panels, granting flexibility and distinctiveness to each structure while maintaining a unified architectural language. This approach allows for unique expressions within the complex, while the cohesive design binds the typologies together. The arrangement of the façade enhances the visual character of the buildings, reflecting the historical and cultural context of the site, including areas such as Via Pietro Antonio Micheli and Piazza dei Condottieri.

Through these carefully considered features, the design reflects both functionality and the desires of the community, highlighted particularly in its architectural details.

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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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