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U-Shaped Lodges with Skylights Integrating into Desert Dunes

Author:
Joineer Architects
U-Shaped Lodges with Skylights Integrating into Desert Dunes
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U-shaped lodges with skylights harmoniously integrate into the desert landscape, enabling users to connect with the natural environment while providing functional observation spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
U-shaped design allows for enhanced airflow and natural ventilation.
02
Structures are oriented to align with prevailing wind patterns to minimize disturbance to wildlife.
03
Integrated skylights maximize natural light, reducing energy consumption.
04
Concrete bases provide stability and support within shifting sands of the desert.
05
Common hub fosters community interaction, promoting social engagement among users.

Hide and Seek is a design set in a unique desert landscape, focusing on the relationship between built structures and the environment. The project includes 17 standard lodges, 8 VIP lodges, and a common hub. Each unit is designed as an observation space, allowing users to interact with the rich ecology and the expansive view of the Milky Way. The overall design integrates well with the rolling sand dunes, enhancing the experience of those who visit.

Contextual Orientation

The placement of the lodges considers the direction of the wind, which affects user comfort and local wildlife. By aligning the structures with prevailing winds, the design minimizes unfamiliar odors that may disturb animals, particularly oryx, which navigate the landscape based on scent. This awareness of natural dynamics reflects a practical approach that enhances both human and ecological experiences.

Architectural Form

The shapes of the lodges are inspired by natural sand formations. Their U-shaped profiles blend into the surroundings, allowing the buildings to reflect the landscape rather than disrupt it. This design creates a visual connection with the dunes, promoting a sense of unity with nature. The curves and contours are not just aesthetic; they echo the environment, creating a familiar and inviting atmosphere for occupants.

Material and Structural Elements

Each lodge incorporates essential features that focus on functionality. Wall partitions organize the interior spaces, while skylights bring in natural light to create bright and open areas. The structures include integrated drainage systems and water tanks, addressing practical needs in a desert environment. The concrete base provides stability for the lodges, accommodating the shifting sands while ensuring durability. This careful choice of features showcases a design rooted in practicality and sensitivity to the setting.

Community Engagement

The common hub serves as a gathering spot for visitors, offering a space for social interaction. This area supports community building within the wider desert landscape. The design of the hub encourages engagement and connection, linking individuals while they enjoy the surrounding environment. Additionally, the use of solar panels indicates a focus on sustainability, harnessing renewable energy to support the community's needs.

The rooftops feature flowing contours that mimic the natural sand dunes, enhancing the visual relationship between the built structures and their surroundings. The design details highlight an understanding of the landscape, inviting users to explore and appreciate the environment fully. This attention to detail ensures that every aspect of the project reflects a deep connection with nature.

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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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