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Red and Black Steel Structure for Reflective Meditation

Authors:
Shichuang Xu, Jiapan Sun, Zujian Liu
Red and Black Steel Structure for Reflective Meditation
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The combination of a black steel exterior and vibrant red interior creates a focused environment for meditation, allowing occupants to disconnect from distractions and engage in quiet reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Designed for a meditative experience, promoting deep reflection.
02
Exterior clad in a black steel skin to enhance isolation.
03
Interior spaces are predominantly filled with vibrant red.
04
Geometric shape allows for versatile placement in various environments.
05
Construction utilizes red and black steel plates for durability and aesthetics.

The Red and the Black TIN HOUSE is a designed space that emphasizes quiet reflection and meditation. It is placed in a peaceful environment, encouraging occupants to step away from daily distractions. The design focuses on the contrast between the outer and inner spaces to enhance the experience of introspection.

Form and Aesthetics

The tin house features a regular geometric shape covered in black. This choice provides a stark appearance, creating a sense of enclosure. The simple geometry allows the structure to fit into various settings, making it adaptable for different locations while still maintaining its identity.

Interiors and Color Palette

Inside, vibrant red fills the main areas and the stairs. This color choice is purposeful, engaging occupants and promoting emotional responses. The red interior offers a warm contrast to the black exterior, fostering a calm environment that encourages thoughtful contemplation. The colors work together to create a space that feels intimate and supportive of meditation.

Material Considerations

The building uses red and black steel plates as its primary materials, chosen for their strength and aesthetics. These materials provide durability and enhance the overall modern feel of the design. The use of steel allows for both stability and a certain lightness, aligning with the project's intentions to create a contemplative space.

Environmental Integration

The design allows the TIN HOUSE to blend into its surroundings while serving as a dedicated space for meditation. By focusing on isolation, it reduces distractions from the outside world. The thoughtful arrangement of spaces promotes a deep connection between users and their environment, heightening their reflective experience.

The transitions between the interior and exterior invite individuals to move from the outside noise into a realm created for focused thought. The contrast of colors, black and red, guides this journey, marking the shift from distraction to introspection.

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The Next House: USA
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20,000 USD Prize
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100,000€ Prize / 2026

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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