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Rammed Earth Structure Enhanced by Bamboo Screens and Central Courtyard for Family Living

Rammed Earth Structure Enhanced by Bamboo Screens and Central Courtyard for Family Living
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Rammed earth walls and bamboo screens create a thermally efficient shelter that centers around a communal courtyard designed for family interaction and cultural integration.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth walls provide thermal mass for passive cooling.
02
The design incorporates bamboo screens for shading and aesthetic appeal.
03
A central courtyard fosters family interaction and enhances ventilation.
04
Sustainable features include rainwater harvesting and solar energy integration.
05
Flexibility in spatial organization allows for future expansion and adaptability.

### Project Overview

Located in the Emirates, the design merges traditional cultural values with modern architectural principles, exemplifying a responsive approach to local climate and community living dynamics. The overarching concept, “Yesterday Colours Tomorrow,” underscores a commitment to historical continuity and contemporary requirements, embodying principles of modesty, privacy, and hospitality.

### Spatial Strategy

The spatial arrangement effectively delineates areas into public, semi-public, and private sections, facilitating varied interactions within the home. A central courtyard serves as a key element, fostering a shared environment while also functioning as a passive cooling mechanism. This design supports a lifestyle that prioritizes family and social gatherings, creating an inviting atmosphere conducive to community living.

### Materiality and Climate Adaptation

This project employs a range of materials that reflect local building traditions and sustainability practices. Rammed earth is utilized for walls, enhancing thermal mass and providing natural insulation. Bamboo adds aesthetic value, while extensive use of glass promotes natural light and ventilation, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. Overhangs and reflective surfaces are incorporated to reduce heat gain, and strategically placed greenery contributes to improved microclimatic conditions, enhancing thermal comfort. The layout also allows for future expansion, ensuring the home adapts to changing family needs over time.

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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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Design the next suburban home for the USA

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Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

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