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Rotating Columns and Solar Integration in a Nature-Focused Retreat

Author:
Na Ra Park
Rotating Columns and Solar Integration in a Nature-Focused Retreat
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The interplay of rotating columns and integrated solar panels defines a retreat that enhances the connection to nature while offering a multifunctional space for contemplation and relaxation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rotating columns allow for customizable exposure to light and views.
02
Integrated solar panels provide renewable energy for lighting.
03
Ground-level patio features a built-in table for functionality.
04
The elevated floor edge enhances comfort for outdoor activities.
05
A dry toilet emphasizes sustainability in design choices.

The Treehouse project invites occupants to connect with nature through a carefully designed space. Set against a backdrop of greenery, the structure features a two-story layout where a glass room on the upper floor maximizes natural light. The design encourages reflection and interaction with the outdoors, creating a harmonious blend of comfort and tranquility.

Spatial Layout
The arrangement includes an upper-level glass room that offers expansive views of the landscape. Occupants can easily move between levels via a stairway, leading to a ground-floor patio. This layout promotes various activities, allowing users to enjoy both quiet moments indoors and engaging experiences outdoors.

Ground-Level Features
A wooden wall on the ground patio serves practical needs, featuring a built-in table and storage that complement the design. The wall adds warmth and functionality without creating clutter. There is also a restroom equipped with a dry toilet, highlighting the focus on sustainability and responsible design choices within the space.

Responsive Elements
One of the notable features is the rotating columns surrounding the patio. These columns can be adjusted, providing flexibility in how light and views enter the space. This responsiveness encourages users to tailor their experience based on personal preference and the shifting time of day.

Lighting Design
The project incorporates two circular glass rings that utilize transparent solar panels for illumination. These rings serve as effective light sources both day and night, while also integrating principles of renewable energy within the design. The inclusion of these elements reflects a commitment to sustainability without compromising aesthetic quality.

The play of light and shadow created by the rotating columns enhances the atmosphere, allowing occupants to feel a deeper connection to their environment as the day unfolds.

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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

`
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

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

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