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Rammed Earth and Cross-Laminated Timber Create Community-Centric Spaces in Desert Living

Rammed Earth and Cross-Laminated Timber Create Community-Centric Spaces in Desert Living
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Employing rammed earth and cross-laminated timber, the design seamlessly integrates community-focused living spaces within the challenging desert climate.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth walls provide natural thermal mass, reducing energy consumption.
02
Cross-laminated timber enhances structural integrity while allowing flexible space configurations.
03
Community gardens integrate greenery into the living environment, promoting biodiversity.
04
The bent A-frame design optimizes shading and natural light throughout the year.
05
Local coral stone is used to tie the building to its geographical context and heritage.

## Context and Location

Located on the outskirts of Dubai, the project is situated within a residential area that reflects the region's cultural nuances. The design approach acknowledges the importance of local traditions while incorporating contemporary architectural solutions. The intent is to harmonize these elements by integrating sustainable practices with modern design, fostering a symbiotic relationship between the built and natural environments.

## Materiality and Sustainability

The project employs a selection of sustainable materials that emphasize ecological responsibility and local relevance. Key components include rammed earth walls, which provide natural thermal mass and visually connect the structure to its surroundings. Cross-laminated timber panels offer flexibility in internal spaces while maintaining structural integrity. Local coral stone and wood are incorporated to echo traditional building practices and enhance contextual integration. Large glass elements optimize natural light, facilitating a seamless indoor-outdoor experience. Incorporation of planting systems within the design aims to improve air quality and foster a connection to nature.

## Spatial Configuration and Functionality

The building's layout features a three-dimensional interplay of internal and external spaces, strategically oriented to balance privacy and communal interaction. The lower level accommodates public gathering areas within an open floor plan, centered around an outdoor space with a real tree, promoting an interaction with nature. The upper level is designed for private use, featuring adaptable spaces that can accommodate changing family needs. The configuration supports natural ventilation, minimizing reliance on mechanical systems. The design emphasizes future expandability, optimal airflow, and shaded areas to enhance comfort in the hot desert climate while respecting the cultural context through thoughtful integration of local craftsmanship.

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Enter an open architecture
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The Home of 
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Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
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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

`
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

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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 
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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 
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Take a step and make a statement!

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

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

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Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 11 February 2026
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Museum of 
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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.
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Early bird registration deadline 25 February 2026
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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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