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Transparent Glass Retreat with Monolithic Slate Core Integrating Nature and Functionality

Authors:
Obinna Elechi, Greg Broerman
Transparent Glass Retreat with Monolithic Slate Core Integrating Nature and Functionality
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Combining a monolithic slate core with a transparent glass façade, the design allows for seamless integration with the surrounding landscape while offering versatile guest accommodations that emphasize sustainability and a strong connection to nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes a monolithic slate core for utility housing and thermal mass.
02
Incorporates living grass floors and private gardens for enhanced biophilia.
03
Transparent glass walls maximize natural light and landscape views.
04
Designed for year-round use with passive heating and cooling systems.
05
Rooms oriented to provide views of natural phenomena, such as the Northern Lights.

### Project Overview
"The Outdoor Rooms" is located in a rural area, influenced by the natural landscape and geological features characteristic of regions like Iceland. The project presents a distinct approach to outdoor living by integrating three types of guest accommodations—single, double, and triple rooms—designed to foster engagement with the surrounding environment. The intent is to provide guests with a contemporary lodging experience that blends indoor comforts with an immersive connection to nature.

### Architectural Form and Spatial Strategy
The design employs a transparent, greenhouse-like structure for each guest room, maximizing natural light and offering unobstructed views of the countryside. This configuration reinforces the connection between interior spaces and the external environment. Traditional gable roofs complement the modern façades, achieving a visual harmony that references conventional barn-like structures while introducing a contemporary aesthetic. Each unit incorporates a living grass floor and a private garden, enhancing the overall experience of natural immersion.

### Materiality and Sustainability
The primary materials include glass, wood, and slate, each selected for their specific functional and aesthetic contributions. Glass façades facilitate light penetration and visibility, while wood is used for structural framing and finishes, adding warmth and texture. The slate forms a monolithic core that provides thermal mass, collecting solar energy to regulate internal temperatures passively. Living grass floors and diverse plantings contribute to the ecological integrity of the site, promoting biodiversity and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the rooms. The layout is designed to minimize environmental impact, adhering to principles of sustainability and ecological balance.

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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.

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