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Stacked Family Units with Private Gardens in an Urban Setting

Author:
David Windt
Stacked Family Units with Private Gardens in an Urban Setting
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Stacked family units incorporate private gardens and green spaces in Berlin's urban landscape, aiming to address affordable housing needs while promoting community interaction and sustainable living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Stacked family units enhance land use efficiency in urban areas.
02
Private gardens integrate greenery into the residential experience.
03
Sustainable water management solutions address urban flooding.
04
Semi-public spaces foster community interaction among residents.
05
Design aligns with Berlin's existing architectural morphology.

The design addresses the critical issue of affordable housing in Berlin by creating functional living spaces suitable for families. The focus is on maximizing urban space while ensuring that homes remain accessible. The concept revolves around stacked family homes, offering a practical solution in a city where housing prices can escalate due to increasing demand. The thoughtful arrangement of these homes aims to connect residents with their environment and each other, reducing the negative impacts of investment-driven housing trends.

Stacked Family Homes

The arrangement consists of stacked family homes that efficiently use vertical space. Each unit is structured to provide privacy while promoting a sense of community. By optimizing the layout, the design creates a peaceful residential atmosphere amidst the bustling urban setting. The varying heights and alignments of the structures contribute to the overall aesthetic, reflecting Berlin’s architectural character.

Private Gardens and Green Spaces

Private gardens and semi-public green spaces are incorporated into the design, enhancing the living experience. These outdoor areas serve as essential extensions of the homes, providing space for families to relax, play, and interact with neighbors. They also serve a practical role, contributing to local biodiversity. This incorporation of nature in an urban context enriches both the environment and community life.

Sustainable Water Management

The project employs several strategies for sustainable water management. Underground water storage systems are designed to capture and manage rainwater. This approach reduces the risk of flooding while also supporting the natural landscape. Such systems contribute to the overall quality of living conditions within the development and encourage environmentally responsible practices.

Quality Over Cost

The design prioritizes quality in living environments, moving away from the trend of low-cost, modular housing that often compromises family needs. Each element of the project is crafted with attention to detail, fostering spaces that families can enjoy for years. The emphasis on well-designed homes with adequate outdoor spaces demonstrates a commitment to creating meaningful living experiences for residents.

The layout features terraces that extend the living areas outward, connecting interior spaces to the outdoors. This detail encourages families to engage with their surroundings and enhances the overall living experience.

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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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