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Rotating Solar Panels and Eco-Friendly Clay Structures for Sustainable Family Living

Rotating Solar Panels and Eco-Friendly Clay Structures for Sustainable Family Living
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With its rotating solar panels and energy-efficient clay construction, this residence embodies a modular approach to sustainable living tailored for modern families.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes rotating solar panels to maximize energy capture throughout the day.
02
Incorporates clay for its thermal mass, enhancing energy efficiency.
03
Features a modular design allowing for flexible interior configurations.
04
Includes extensive glass surfaces that promote natural light and connection to the outdoors.
05
Employs rainwater harvesting systems to support sustainable water management.

**Overview**
The House of the Future, known as SOL, is located in Dubai, a rapidly urbanizing context characterized by significant environmental challenges. This design integrates traditional materials with modern technology, aiming to create a sustainable living environment tailored to contemporary family dynamics. By focusing on the values of privacy, community interaction, and adaptability, the project seeks to redefine urban housing for various life stages while addressing local cultural traditions and ecological considerations.

**Material Innovations**
The design utilizes a carefully selected palette of materials that enhance both sustainability and functionality. Clay is prominent for its thermal insulating properties, while concrete provides structural integrity. The inclusion of glass facilitates natural light penetration and maintains a connection with the surroundings. Steel supports the installation of photovoltaic panels, aligning with energy efficiency goals, while wood is applied in interior finishes to add warmth. This combination of materials supports the project's commitment to ecological harmony and aesthetic appeal.

**Energy Efficiency Strategies**
SOL incorporates several innovative energy efficiency strategies. It features rotating photovoltaic panels, which optimize solar energy capture by adjusting to the sun's trajectory throughout the day. Additionally, the thermal mass of the clay helps regulate indoor temperatures, enhancing comfort and reducing reliance on artificial heating and cooling systems. Water management is addressed through underground rainwater collection systems, which promote responsible water usage in an urban environment. This multifaceted approach to energy and resource management exemplifies a commitment to sustainability that is essential for future residential developments.

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MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
100,000€ Prize / 2026
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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
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

Open architecture competitions

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  • Project competitions first
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  • Ideas competitions
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The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

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Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026
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Design a rain room for Rome

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Design slow sauna in Iceland

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Prize Monetary award
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Final registration deadline 8 April 2026
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Design a story of your country

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Advance registration deadline 13 May 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

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Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

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Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 4 February 2026
new
MICROHOME 2026

Design a new concept of small-scale home and share a prize fund of 100,000€

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 11 February 2026
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Use architecture to create different emotional states

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Early bird registration deadline 25 February 2026
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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2026 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 February 2026
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Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 2 March 2026
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Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 5 March 2026
The Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 2 April 2026

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