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Sound-Absorbing Spaces Crafted with Translucent Concrete and Water Features in Urban Environment

Authors:
Joseph Boring, Yifan Gu
Sound-Absorbing Spaces Crafted with Translucent Concrete and Water Features in Urban Environment
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Crafted with translucent concrete and integrated sound-absorbing materials, the design harmoniously merges with water features and green landscapes to create a tranquil urban retreat focused on community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes translucent lightweight concrete to enhance natural light while maintaining structural integrity.
02
Acoustic walls are designed to absorb sound, creating a peaceful indoor environment.
03
Incorporates integrated water features that contribute to both aesthetics and sound dampening.
04
Fluid spatial layout encourages seamless movement and interaction among users.
05
Landscaped green slopes blend indoor and outdoor areas, promoting ecological connectivity.

### Overview

Located in a dense urban setting, the project aims to establish a serene retreat that mitigates the stress of city life. Drawing inspiration from the calming properties of water, light, and sound, the design creates a space conducive to relaxation and community engagement. The architectural approach emphasizes fluid forms and dynamic spatial configurations that reflect the surrounding terrain, thereby fostering a sense of tranquility and connection to nature.

### Spatial Organization and Materiality

The spatial arrangement consists of interconnected zones that fluidly transition between indoor and outdoor environments. This layout encourages movement and exploration, enhancing user interaction within the space. The architectural surfaces exhibit subtle undulations, inviting engagement and creating a lively atmosphere that contrasts with traditional urban structures.

Key materials include:

- **Serenity Concrete**: A smooth concrete variant that reflects sound, contributing to a distraction-free environment.
- **Concrete Earth**: Designed to absorb unwanted noise, this material enhances the ambience of serenity.
- **Translucent Lightweight Concrete**: Composed of fiber optics, this material allows natural light to permeate the structure while maintaining stability.
- **Ultra-High Performance Concrete**: This highly durable material provides structural support for the canopy, allowing for innovative design elements.
- **Water Installations**: Prominent water features, including waterfalls, serve both aesthetic and acoustic functions, enriching the overall sensory experience.

### Landscape and Lighting Integration

The surrounding landscape is intentionally designed to visually and physically connect with the building, featuring gentle green slopes that break the rigidity of the urban environment. This integration promotes ecological benefits and enhances user experience by inviting natural elements closer to the architectural space.

Lighting plays a crucial role, with a focus on maximizing natural light through strategic openings and translucent materials. Artificial lighting is discreetly incorporated to highlight key design features during nighttime, maintaining a cohesive ambiance. The overall design reflects a commitment to sustainability through thoughtful material choices and a focus on environmental impact while achieving a visually harmonious composition.

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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

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Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

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