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Rammed Earth Habitat with Lattice Wood Shading in an Arid Environment

Rammed Earth Habitat with Lattice Wood Shading in an Arid Environment
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Utilizing rammed earth construction and innovative lattice wood shading, the habitat effectively addresses the challenges of extreme arid climates while providing sustainable living solutions for its residents.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes rammed earth for superior thermal mass and energy efficiency.
02
Incorporates lattice wood shading to reduce solar heat gain while allowing light.
03
Features adaptable modular units for future expansion based on resident needs.
04
Employs subterranean living areas to leverage natural cooling from the ground.
05
Integrates native plants in landscaping to support local ecology and water conservation.

## Overview

Located in a desert region, the Desert House exemplifies a contemporary solution to social housing designed specifically for arid climates. Its intent is to address the challenges of extreme temperatures and resource limitations while fostering environmental harmony and community connectivity. The architectural strategy integrates indoor and outdoor living spaces, recognizing the significance of natural light and airflow in enhancing thermal comfort and livability.

## Spatial Configuration and Efficiency

The design promotes efficient circulation and functionality through a well-organized floor plan. Central to the layout is the Majlis, a communal area intended for gatherings and social interaction, complemented by living and dining spaces that optimize views and light. Private quarters, including bedrooms, are positioned to ensure privacy and are strategically designed to benefit from natural ventilation and picturesque landscape views. The inclusion of well-planned service areas, such as the kitchen and bathrooms, maintains a seamless transition between public and private spaces.

### Material Selection and Sustainability

Material choices reflect a commitment to sustainability, incorporating elements that enhance thermal performance while minimizing environmental impact. Rammed earth is utilized as a primary structural component, offering both natural insulation and aesthetic appeal. Concrete is employed in foundational and structural contexts, ensuring durability, while lattice wood serves dual purposes as shading devices and visual screens, balancing light entry and privacy. Glass elements facilitate the desired connection between indoor and outdoor environments, enriching the user experience. Sustainable landscaping, featuring native plant species, supports biodiversity and contributes to ecological stability within the site.

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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
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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
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

Open architecture competitions

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  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
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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
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Design a rain room for Rome

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Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
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Final registration deadline 8 April 2026
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Design a story of your country

ideas COMPETITION
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Advance registration deadline 13 May 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

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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
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Final registration deadline 4 February 2026
new
MICROHOME 2026

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

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 11 February 2026
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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
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
Final registration deadline 2 March 2026
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Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 5 March 2026
The Architect's 
Chair

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
Final registration deadline 2 April 2026

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