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Translucent Membranes and Local Timber Define a Community-Centered Residential Space

Translucent Membranes and Local Timber Define a Community-Centered Residential Space
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Utilizing translucent membranes and local timber, the design creates interconnected social spaces that enhance community interaction within a modern residential framework.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes translucent membranes to optimize natural light and create open spaces.
02
Incorporates local timber to reinforce environmental sustainability and connect with the region.
03
Features a bent A-frame design, promoting unique spatial dynamics and visual interest.
04
Employs interlocking volumes to enhance community connectivity and interaction.
05
Charred wooden shingles serve both aesthetic and protective purposes, ensuring durability.

### Overview

The project located at Cornell House in Ithaca, New York, seeks to innovate within the realm of residential architecture by reinterpreting living spaces as a series of interconnected frames. The intent is to foster community interaction and personal introspection through the exploration of dynamic forms and spatial relationships. By drawing inspiration from the narrative contexts found in sitcoms, the design symbolizes familiar domestic environments through its structural composition.

### Architectural Form and Spatial Configuration

The design features fluid, shell-like canopy structures that suggest adaptability and movement. Transparent roof membranes facilitate natural light penetration, merging indoor and outdoor spaces to enhance the living experience. Complementary angular wooden frames contribute both structural integrity and aesthetic complexity.

The interior layout encourages organic flow, blending communal and private spaces effectively. Centralized areas such as kitchens and living rooms facilitate interaction, while private rooms are positioned for tranquility and privacy. This configuration supports various social scenarios, embodying the project’s vision of dynamic living environments.

### Materiality and Sustainability

Key materials include a transparent membrane for the roof, which diffuses light and creates an ethereal atmosphere. Locally sourced timber provides warmth and a connection to the site's geography, while glass and acrylic panels in the façade enhance visual connectivity with the surroundings. Concrete forms the foundation and structural elements, ensuring durability.

The project emphasizes sustainability by employing local materials and adaptive forms that respond to environmental conditions. The use of transparent materials improves energy efficiency by maximizing daylight and supports a dialogue about indoor-outdoor living. Technological advancements in architectural visualization also play a significant role, allowing for detailed contextual representations to guide the design process.

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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
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