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A Centre for Timber Industry and Event Exchange

Authors:
Lauren Pui Lam Tang, Andy Hadley
A Centre for Timber Industry and Event Exchange
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Situated in a region known for its timber industry, the design responds to both local material culture and international event requirements. The approach emphasizes spatial clarity, functional adaptability, and integration with the surrounding urban and natural context.
5 key facts about this project
01
Located in Riga, Latvia, the Expo Centre emphasizes timber construction.
02
Landscaped areas accommodate outdoor exhibitions and overflow parking.
03
An angled concrete form ensures spatial continuity and visibility.
04
Timber finishes create a warm atmosphere within concrete spaces.
05
Conference halls feature flexible design with retractable partitions.

Located in Latvia, Riga Expo Centre is designed to support the country’s industrial identity, with particular emphasis on timber construction. The project aims to strengthen the Centre’s international role by accommodating a range of corporate events and exhibitions. Its layout balances functional programming with landscape integration to enhance visitor experience and promote public engagement.

Spatial strategy and landscape integration
The site is organized around a central arrival point, providing clear circulation and orientation. To the southeast, landscaped areas support outdoor exhibitions and events, while also offering flexible use as overflow parking. These spaces are designed to merge utility with the surrounding environment, contributing to the Centre’s openness and accessibility. The building responds to existing urban axes, with an angled concrete form that establishes spatial continuity while maintaining a distinct architectural presence.

Material expression and interior adaptability
Timber is employed structurally and in interior finishes, reflecting Latvia’s forestry industry and creating a tactile, warm atmosphere within the cooler concrete envelope. Interior spaces prioritize flexibility, with conference halls featuring retractable partitions and acoustic insulation to accommodate varied functional needs. The material palette and spatial configuration together reinforce the project’s focus on adaptability, resource awareness, and user comfort.

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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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