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Steel Framework and Solar Panels Combined with Flexible Spaces in a Sustainable Community Hub

Authors:
Simon Venturi, Dimitri Stamatis
Steel Framework and Solar Panels Combined with Flexible Spaces in a Sustainable Community Hub
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Employing a versatile steel framework and integrating solar panels, the design creates flexible spaces that serve as a vibrant hub for community engagement and cultural activities.
5 key facts about this project
01
Employs a modular design allowing for reconfiguration based on community needs.
02
Utilizes a steel framework to enhance structural flexibility and durability.
03
Incorporates solar panels to achieve energy self-sufficiency for the facility.
04
Features an amphitheater-style performance space to foster local artistic activities.
05
Integrates green roofs and walls to promote biodiversity and environmental sustainability.

### Project Overview

This community-centric architectural initiative is located in a densely populated urban area, designed with the intent to enhance creativity and social interaction. By providing an adaptable environment, it encourages artistic endeavors and facilitates cultural exchanges among diverse user groups. The structure embodies a modern approach to urban architecture, characterized by its flexible framework that can be reconfigured to meet the evolving needs of its occupants.

### Spatial Strategy

The design employs a "Framework of Creation," positioning the building as a dynamic environment rather than a static entity. This strategy emphasizes the integration of diverse activities, such as performances, exhibitions, and community gatherings, within an open, grid-based layout. This organization promotes easy navigation while blurring the boundaries between public and private spaces. Incorporating natural elements, including terraces with vegetation and designated green areas, provides a counterbalance to the urban context and enhances both aesthetic and environmental sustainability.

### Materiality and Sustainability

Material selection is central to the design, reflecting its underlying principles of sustainability and functionality. The robust steel framework supports the structure while maintaining a lightweight and transparent quality. Extensive use of glass facades fosters a sense of openness and facilitates interaction with the surrounding environment. Additionally, solar panels are integrated to reduce the carbon footprint and improve energy self-sufficiency, while green roofs and walls create micro-ecosystems and promote biodiversity. The use of recycled and locally sourced materials further underscores a commitment to minimizing environmental impact.

The design incorporates modular spaces that adapt to various activities, an amphitheater-style performance area to facilitate large gatherings, and designated exhibition zones that promote cultural engagement. Public art displays are seamlessly integrated to encourage artistic expression, while landscaped greens provide spaces for leisure and socialization, contributing to the overall user 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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