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Thermal Insulation and Ptfe Fabric Create a Sustainable Haven in a Modern Residential Setting

Thermal Insulation and Ptfe Fabric Create a Sustainable Haven in a Modern Residential Setting
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Utilizing PTFE fabric for optimum shading and thermal insulation, this residential design integrates a central courtyard to enhance natural ventilation and community living while ensuring energy efficiency.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes PTFE fabric roofing to enhance natural lighting and temperature control.
02
Features a central courtyard designed for improved cross-ventilation and community interaction.
03
Incorporates thermal insulation boards to maximize energy efficiency in high temperatures.
04
Employs a flexible layout allowing for adaptive use of space based on occupant needs.
05
Integrates traditional majlis elements, promoting social cohesion within a modern framework.

## Project Overview

Located in Tawj Samḥān, a region marked by its unique climate and urban development challenges, the design embodies a commitment to sustainability and a thoughtful integration with the local cultural context. The structure translates these factors into a functional residential living space, emphasizing innovative spatial dynamics alongside modern aesthetic values.

## Spatial Strategy

The architectural layout is characterized by a central internal patio that serves as a communal space, enhancing social interactions and facilitating natural ventilation. This inward-looking design reflects traditional elements found in local architecture, promoting continuity between indoor and outdoor environments. The ground floor features a central living room that connects various areas of the house, complemented by a strategically arranged kitchen, pantry, and wet areas that prioritize privacy without sacrificing accessibility. The second floor includes multiple suites designed with attached dressing areas and bathrooms, maintaining an open layout that reinforces the relationship with the central green space.

## Materiality and Sustainability

Material selection plays a critical role in balancing functionality and aesthetics. The use of PTFE fabric for the roof provides lightweight shade, reducing solar exposure, while stainless steel is utilized for structural supports, ensuring durability with a visual lightness. Concrete, enhanced with thermal insulation boards, forms the core spatial elements, contributing to energy efficiency. The design further incorporates systems for rainwater harvesting and cross-ventilation, demonstrating a conscious effort to minimize the ecological footprint while offering a sustainable living solution aligned with the region's climatic conditions.

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MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
100,000€ Prize / 2026

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.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

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