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Step-Back Terraces and Vertical Greenery in a Community-Focused Design

Authors:
Tzen-ying Ling, William Chandra
Step-Back Terraces and Vertical Greenery in a Community-Focused Design
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With step-back terraces that promote natural light and vertical greenery enhancing biodiversity, the design integrates sustainable living into a community-focused residential complex.
5 key facts about this project
01
Step-back terraces maximize natural light and create usable green spaces.
02
Vertical greenery is integrated into the facade to enhance biodiversity.
03
The design allows for self-stacking, reducing construction complexity.
04
Rainwater collection systems support landscape irrigation.
05
Modular components offer flexibility for personalized interior layouts.

The Origo architectural system is set in an urban environment, designed to meet the needs of sustainable living. The main focus is a prototype that allows flexible unit arrangements, promoting various living situations while ensuring efficient use of the site. The overall design integrates nature into the built environment, aiming to enhance the well-being of future residents.

SUSTAINABLE SITE PLANNING

The Origo system takes a thoughtful approach to site planning, prioritizing the use of setbacks and open space. This creates a green belt that surrounds the building. The design incorporates a vertical green system on the facade, which supports local biodiversity and positively affects the surrounding microclimate.

FLEXIBLE UNIT CONFIGURATIONS

Flexibility is a core aspect of the Origo prototype. It enables multiple unit configurations and placements, catering to different lifestyle needs. The design allows for units to be extended laterally, which enhances sunlight and airflow, making for more comfortable living conditions.

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION

The project incorporates stacking capabilities, particularly for mid-rise buildings that reach heights of 5 to 6 stories. This self-stacking feature simplifies construction. For taller buildings, an open system strategy is employed. Step-back designs allow natural light to reach deeper into living areas, resulting in terraces that serve as rooftop gardens, offering green spaces for residents.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Terraces are crafted to create shaded outdoor areas that encourage interaction among residents. The design includes both horizontal and vertical circulation paths that improve connectivity within the building. This layout promotes social gatherings, fostering a sense of community in an urban landscape.

Interiors feature a modular design that includes versatile shelving, allowing spaces to be personalized. These elements can function as seating or storage, emphasizing the project's focus on user-friendly design while enhancing everyday living.

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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

`
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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