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Passive Cooling Techniques with Exposed Aggregate and Courtyards for Sustainable Family Living

Passive Cooling Techniques with Exposed Aggregate and Courtyards for Sustainable Family Living
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Utilizing reinforced concrete and powder-coated steel, the residence incorporates passive cooling strategies and communal courtyards to enhance family living in a sustainable and adaptable environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes passive cooling through strategic airflow systems and wind catchers.
02
Integrates communal courtyard spaces promoting family interaction and outdoor living.
03
Features modular design elements that allow for spatial reconfiguration over time.
04
Employs sustainable materials, including recycled insulation, enhancing ecological performance.
05
Incorporates large glass panels for optimal natural light while maintaining privacy.

### Overview

Located in a contemporary urban setting, this residential project reflects Arab cultural values, emphasizing family, tradition, and community. The intent is to innovate traditional living by offering a flexible and adaptive space that serves diverse family needs while acknowledging historical context. The design integrates modern aesthetics with cultural significance, creating environments that respond to the dynamics of family life.

### Spatial Strategy

A primary focus of the design is its modular and adaptable spatial framework. The layout allows for the easy reconfiguration of spaces to meet shifting demands, supporting the changing dynamics of family life. Central to this arrangement is a communal courtyard that serves as a focal point for social interaction, reflecting the importance of shared experiences in family units. Individual spaces are thoughtfully incorporated to accommodate personal activities, ensuring that all family members have dedicated areas for privacy and specific pursuits.

### Materiality and Sustainability

Material selection plays a crucial role in the project’s identity and function. The use of reinforced concrete ensures structural integrity, while large glass openings enhance natural light and connectivity to the outdoors. Powder-coated steel accents and locally sourced stone provide both durability and aesthetic appeal. Emphasis is placed on ecologically sustainable materials, including permeable paving and recycled insulation, supporting a commitment to environmental responsibility. Passive cooling techniques, such as wind catchers and solar chimneys, address energy efficiency, and the incorporation of photovoltaic solar panels positions the design as a forward-thinking solution within the region's climate context.

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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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