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Repurposed Parking Spaces Featuring Steel Frames and Acoustic Panels for Compact Urban Living

Repurposed Parking Spaces Featuring Steel Frames and Acoustic Panels for Compact Urban Living
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Transforming underutilized parking spaces into micro homes, this initiative employs a robust modular steel framework and Troldtekt acoustic panels to create efficient and sustainable living environments in an urban landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes repurposed parking spaces for residential units.
02
Constructed with a modular steel framework for efficient assembly.
03
Incorporates Troldtekt acoustic panels for enhanced sound insulation.
04
Features compact design with multifunctional living spaces.
05
Integrates landscaped areas to promote environmental quality.

### Overview and Concept
The **Houses in the Park(ing)!** project is located in New York City, aimed at addressing the city's significant housing shortage by introducing Micro Homes into underutilized parking spaces. In light of an estimated need for approximately **800,000 new housing units** over the next decade, this initiative seeks to optimize existing urban infrastructure, making effective use of parking areas to create sustainable living environments. The design was inspired by adaptations observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when outdoor dining was permitted in parking spaces, highlighting the potential for repurposing these areas for residential use.

### Spatial Strategy
Each Micro Home occupies **24.2 square meters**, incorporating essential living functions, including sleeping, cooking, and working, within a compact footprint. The architectural form features **arch-shaped roofs** that enhance the aesthetic appeal while facilitating natural light entry. The rhythmic arrangement of the homes promotes community interaction, integrating harmoniously with the existing urban fabric characterized by residential white facades and tree-lined streets.

### Material Selection and Sustainability
The design emphasizes sustainability through the selection of eco-friendly materials. **TROLDTEKT acoustic panels** improve acoustic quality while aligning with environmental goals. Structural elements utilize a **modular steel frame**, which not only enhances durability but also supports efficient manufacturing processes. **QuadCore panels** are incorporated for improved thermal insulation, optimizing energy consumption. The foundations and walkways are constructed from concrete, ensuring resilience and longevity in the urban context. Additionally, landscaped green areas surrounding the homes contribute to environmental quality and enhance the overall wellbeing of residents.

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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
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

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