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Temporal Living with Cast-in-Place Concrete and Guiding Shadows

Author:
Sidney Marques Iii
Temporal Living with Cast-in-Place Concrete and Guiding Shadows
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Constructed with cast-in-place concrete, the colonnade shapes both space and time within the home, utilizing shadows to guide inhabitants through their daily routines while also promoting a connection to the natural landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
The colonnade serves as the home's primary clock.
02
Shadows shift throughout the day, enhancing visual experience.
03
Two courtyards balance privacy and outdoor interaction.
04
Natural light is integrated to enrich spatial experience.
05
Curtain walls create depth and visual connections indoors.

The design is set in the Southwestern region of the United States and aims to create a living space that fosters a deeper connection between individuals and their surroundings. By focusing on light and shadow, the home incorporates natural elements to guide occupants through their daily activities. The colonnade plays a central role in the design, serving as a clock that influences both the flow of space and the experiences within it.

Colonnade as Temporal Marker

The colonnade is a key feature, functioning as the house's primary clock. Shadows cast by this structure change throughout the day, offering a unique visual experience. It encourages inhabitants to engage with the rhythm of nature, fostering an awareness of time and the environment around them.

Courtyards for Isolation and Interaction

The layout includes two courtyards, which help to create separate areas within the home while encouraging outdoor interaction. These spaces provide a balance of privacy and openness. They serve as quiet retreats, allowing for moments of reflection while still connecting users to nature. This duality enhances the overall living experience.

Responsive Design to Natural Light

Light is thoughtfully integrated into the design to enhance the spatial experience. The home is oriented to capture daylight effectively, allowing it to shift throughout the day. This dynamic relationship with natural light encourages users to move through the space differently as the conditions change, enriching their daily routines.

Integration of Curtain Walls

Curtain walls are an important aspect, allowing shadows to spill into the interior spaces. This design choice creates visual connections between inside and outside. The walls bring in natural light while also creating depth in the living areas. As a result, inhabitants can feel the presence of the exterior environment as they navigate through their home.

The design ultimately fosters a strong connection with the surrounding landscape, where the balance of light and shadow actively shapes daily life within the spaces.

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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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