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Reflective Threads and Opaque Polycarbonate Create Engaging Community Spaces in Sustainable Timber Construction

Authors:
Park Woosung, Noh Yuseok, Ham Hansol, Bang Hyehyun
Reflective Threads and Opaque Polycarbonate Create Engaging Community Spaces in Sustainable Timber Construction
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Incorporating reflective threads and translucent polycarbonate, this architectural endeavour creates interactive communal spaces designed to enhance user engagement and connection within a sustainably constructed environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Reflective threads serve as both spatial dividers and interactive elements, enhancing user engagement.
02
Opaque polycarbonate panels allow for natural light infiltration while maintaining privacy.
03
The design integrates community spaces to prioritize social interaction among users.
04
Cross-laminated timber panels provide structural integrity and a warm aesthetic.
05
Charred wooden shingles contribute to fire resistance and a unique textural quality.

### Project Overview

Reachable Fantasy is an architectural project located in a region known for the visibility of the Aurora Borealis. The design intent emphasizes accessibility and engagement for diverse user groups, including children, the elderly, and individuals with visual impairments. The project aims to create a space where users can interact with the essence of the aurora, translating this natural phenomenon into a tangible architectural experience.

### Spatial Dynamics

The organization of space is characterized by flexible zones that facilitate various activities. Event Spaces are designed for dynamic use, allowing boundaries to dissolve between areas, promoting social interaction and imaginative activities, such as reading. Community Zones feature shared amenities like saunas and dining areas, fostering collaboration among users and minimizing private room usage to enhance group dynamics. Guest accommodations vary in size, including individual rooms and larger spaces for families, accommodating the diverse needs of visitors.

### Material Selection

Material choices are integral to realizing the project’s conceptual vision. Opaque polycarbonate sheets provide a sense of transparency while maintaining privacy and comfort, allowing natural light to interact with interior spaces and enhance the experience of the aurora. The structural frame utilizes Oregon pine, known for its aesthetic appeal and durability. Reflective threads serve both as a design feature and an interactive element, capturing the transient quality of the aurora while encouraging physical engagement from users. Additionally, specialized insulation materials ensure energy efficiency, aligning with sustainable design principles, while finishing materials contribute to a harmonious internal environment.

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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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