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Translucent Glass Facade with Spiral Expanse in Eco-Friendly Living Space

Translucent Glass Facade with Spiral Expanse in Eco-Friendly Living Space
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A spiral staircase elegantly connects multi-level spaces within a home characterized by a translucent glass facade and environmentally conscious materials, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor living experience.
5 key facts about this project
01
Translucent glass facade enhances natural light and views while maintaining privacy.
02
Spiral staircase serves as a central design feature, promoting fluid movement between levels.
03
Charred wooden shingles offer a distinct aesthetic while providing fire resistance.
04
Cross-laminated timber panels contribute to structural stability and sustainability.
05
Outdoor terraces seamlessly extend living space, promoting connection with nature.

### Project Overview

Located within a contemporary urban context, the design embodies a multifaceted approach that merges aesthetic considerations with functional requirements. The intent focuses on achieving harmony with the surrounding environment, utilizing materials and spatial configurations to enhance the connection between indoor and outdoor living areas. A strategic emphasis on form and transparency addresses contemporary expectations for both visual appeal and environmental stewardship.

### Spatial Fluidity and User Interaction

The design prioritizes **spatial fluidity**, characterized by an open layout that encourages seamless transitions between rooms. Key areas, such as the living spaces and exterior terraces, are designed to enhance interaction with the natural surroundings, creating a spontaneous flow that invites user engagement. A distinctive feature, the spiraling staircase, serves as both a functional and sculptural element, promoting exploration throughout the space.

### Materiality and Sustainable Practices

The material palette integrates modern architectural elements, carefully selected for both functionality and aesthetic resonance. **Extensive glass** usage maximizes natural light and offers unobstructed views, while **concrete** provides structural durability and a clean, modern look. Warmth and texture are introduced through thoughtful **wood** elements, with **stone** possibly incorporated to create tactile connections to the environment. The design also incorporates **polished metal finishes**, reflecting the interplay of light. Although not overtly visible, the overarching design principles suggest sustainable practices, such as ample daylighting that reduces reliance on artificial illumination, promoting energy efficiency and supporting a lifestyle that embraces outdoor living.

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Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
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

`
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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Design the next suburban home for the USA

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Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

The Home of 
Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 14 January 2026
The Architect’s 
Stair

Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 15 January 2026
The Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 22 January 2026
Re:Form - 
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for Old Spaces

Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

Edition #2 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 4 February 2026
new
MICROHOME 2026

Design a new concept of small-scale home and share a prize fund of 100,000€

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 11 February 2026
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Museum of 
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Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #8 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 25 February 2026
new
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2026 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 February 2026

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