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Translucent Metal Curtains and Warm Pine Create Inviting Communal Spaces in Residential Development

Authors:
Emma Karlsson Bruhn, Erik Magnusson, Christian Schmetzer, Pinja Myllykoski
Translucent Metal Curtains and Warm Pine Create Inviting Communal Spaces in Residential Development
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Translucent metal curtains and warm pine framing seamlessly integrate communal living spaces with private retreats, creating a balanced residential environment that fosters connection and comfort.
5 key facts about this project
01
Translucent metal curtains adjust for light and privacy, enhancing the adaptable façade.
02
The use of warm pine emphasizes tactile warmth in both structural and interior finishes.
03
A central garden acts as a multifunctional communal hub, promoting community engagement.
04
The project integrates sustainable features like geothermal heating and solar panels.
05
Flexibility in living arrangements accommodates various resident lifestyles and needs.

## Project Overview

The "Life in Between" project is located in Portugal and presents an approach that balances communal living with individual privacy through a focus on sustainability and materiality. The design seeks to activate social spaces while respecting the personal needs of residents, creating a harmonious relationship between the built environment and its natural setting. The integration of communal and private areas is a fundamental aspect of the project, reflecting the intentions of fostering community engagement alongside personal retreat.

## Spatial Configuration

The design emphasizes transparency and connectivity, featuring expansive sliding doors and transparent walls that blur the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. This openness is coupled with a central communal living room, which serves as a versatile hub for various activities and social interactions, centered around a garden that strengthens the connection to nature. Each level of the building is strategically arranged to allow for both sweeping views and physical connections to communal areas, promoting an adaptive layout that addresses a range of lifestyles and living arrangements.

## Material Selection and Sustainability

Materiality plays a crucial role in the project, showcasing a thoughtful blend of warm pine, light concrete, metal curtains, and limestone mosaic. These materials not only reinforce the tactile relationship between residents and their surroundings but also enhance the aesthetic cohesion with the natural landscape. Sustainable practices are integral, incorporating green concrete, solar panels, and geothermal systems to minimize the environmental impact while ensuring energy efficiency. The design also maintains privacy through the inclusion of private balconies and shared terraces, enabling residents to enjoy personal space within the communal framework.

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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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