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Vertical Gardens and Recycled Concrete in a Sustainable Urban Residence

Vertical Gardens and Recycled Concrete in a Sustainable Urban Residence
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Incorporating vertical gardens and recycled concrete, the design optimizes natural light and air circulation to create a sustainable living space that promotes urban agriculture and enhances resident wellbeing.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes vertical farming systems integrated into interior spaces for year-round food production.
02
Features a central atrium that enhances natural light and facilitates airflow throughout the residence.
03
Employs perforated steel elements for shading, creating patterns that enhance aesthetic appeal.
04
Incorporates large glass panels to blur boundaries between indoor and outdoor environments.
05
Uses a bent A-frame design that optimizes structural stability while allowing for expansive living areas.

### Concept Overview
"House of the Light," situated in a modern urban context, prioritizes the integration of natural elements, advanced technology, and sustainable practices. Its design is informed by contemporary challenges faced in densely populated areas, notably the need for improved food production and environmental sustainability. The structure incorporates vertical farming alongside eco-friendly features to enhance the livability of urban environments.

### Spatial Strategy
The design employs an open spatial configuration that promotes natural light and greenery throughout the building. A central atrium serves as a vertical garden, contributing to improved air quality and visual aesthetics. Large skylights in the upper levels further enhance light penetration, fostering an airy atmosphere while minimizing energy requirements. The layout includes fluid forms, with arches and curves that add a sense of elegance and continuity to the interior spaces.

### Materiality and Technological Integration
Sustainable material choices play a critical role in the construction of the building. Recycled concrete forms the main structural walls, while perforated steel shades provide sunlight protection and contribute cultural patterns to the façade. Glass elements are strategically used to create transparency and enhance interaction between interior spaces and the landscape. Advanced technology is integrated throughout, including a dedicated drone landing zone for logistics and maintenance, as well as a VR/AR room for immersive experiences, reflecting a commitment to adapting to future technological advancements.

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The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Architect’s 
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The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
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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
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

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Design slow sauna in Iceland

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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

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 - 
New Life 
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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
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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 
Emotions

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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