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Spiral Structure with Steel Beams Emphasizing Community Engagement

Authors:
Barbara Sandri, Andrea Smaniotto
Spiral Structure with Steel Beams Emphasizing Community Engagement
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The spiral structure, supported by steel beams and interwoven with the landscape, fosters community interaction through its open spaces designed for gatherings and various activities.
5 key facts about this project
01
The structure features six geometric walls that form a cohesive spiral.
02
It promotes user interaction through multiple access points and flexible spaces.
03
Steel beams allow for an uninterrupted interior and large skylights.
04
Walls create dynamic visual vanishing points enhancing user experience.
05
The design integrates seamlessly with the surrounding landscape for improved connectivity.

The design features a carefully arranged configuration of six walls that create a precise geometric system. Located in an area that values community engagement, the structure reflects a concept focused on collective experience. The spiral form symbolizes unity and promotes movement, encouraging connections among users as they navigate the space.

Spatial Organization
-
The layout is designed to facilitate movement, allowing users to flow freely between the interior and the surrounding landscape. This interaction creates various perspectives and enhances the relationship between inside and outside. The walls function not just as structural elements but as dynamic features, providing multiple visual viewpoints that enrich the overall experience.

Integration with Landscape
-
A significant aspect of the design is how it integrates with the landscape. The surrounding environment is not merely a backdrop but an essential part of the architectural experience. The structure acts as a bridge between users and nature, emphasizing the importance of connectivity and social interaction.

Materiality and Structure
-
Strategically arranged walls enhance stability through directional changes, allowing the design to minimize material usage without sacrificing strength. Steel beams support the roof, creating a large internal space without columns. The framed openings in the walls encourage visual connections to the garden, further blurring the lines between inside and outside.

Functionality and Accessibility
-
Distinct sectors with independent entrances promote flexibility, supporting various activities and ensuring accessible environments for all. Service spaces, embedded in the ground, feature outward openings that complement the main areas without disrupting their functions. This setup encourages social engagement, making every part of the building contribute effectively to its purpose.

The interaction between the architectural structure and its landscape offers areas that can serve as gathering spaces or venues for exhibitions, enhancing the building's role within the community. The thoughtful arrangement of walls and openings creates a transition between spaces that invites exploration and engagement, drawing users into a dialogue with their surroundings.

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The Next House: USA
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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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