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Sustainable Living Spaces Crafted from Salvaged Wood and Mass-Timber Technology

Sustainable Living Spaces Crafted from Salvaged Wood and Mass-Timber Technology
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Crafted using salvaged wood and advanced mass-timber technology, the project offers adaptable living spaces designed to support community resilience and self-sufficiency for displaced populations.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted from salvaged wood, reducing waste in construction.
02
Features a rainwater harvesting system for sustainable resource management.
03
Utilizes collapsible walls to allow for flexible interior configurations.
04
Incorporates biogas systems for energy independence and waste conversion.
05
Designed as modular units, promoting adaptability for varying user needs.

### Overview
Blooming Refuge is an architectural initiative designed to address the complex needs of displaced populations worldwide. With a focus on adaptability and sustainability, this project responds to the growing challenges faced by refugees due to displacement, social instability, and economic hardship. The project's design can be implemented across diverse urban and rural landscapes, offering a flexible shelter solution that integrates local materials and minimizes ecological impact.

### Spatial Organization and User Considerations
The design features modular units known as "Blooms," which support a dynamic spatial allocation that evolves throughout the day. Each unit is equipped with adaptable living and communal areas that serve multiple functions—from community gatherings in the morning to focused workspaces during the afternoon and communal dining in the evening. This flexibility aims to accommodate various user groups, including political, economic, and geographic refugees, as well as facilitate community takeovers for evolving needs.

### Sustainable Materiality and Resource Management
Material selection is critical to the project’s sustainability objectives. The use of Kingspan Pentaclad cladding provides insulation and durability, while salvaged wood minimizes waste and environmental impact. Structural integrity is achieved with pressure-treated curved Glulam. Additionally, Blooming Refuge incorporates renewable energy sources, such as biogas systems for organic waste conversion and slimline tanks for efficient water and energy management. Features like rainwater harvesting further enhance the project's commitment to ecological consciousness.

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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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