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Vertical Orchard Housing Utilizing Terracotta Screens and Flexible Modular Design

Vertical Orchard Housing Utilizing Terracotta Screens and Flexible Modular Design
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Incorporating a flexible modular design with terracotta screens and vertical gardens, this housing solution addresses the challenges of tropical living while promoting community resilience and sustainable practices.
5 key facts about this project
01
Features terracotta screens that provide natural ventilation while enhancing privacy.
02
Utilizes modular units that can be reconfigured to adapt to changing space needs.
03
Incorporates a vertical garden system, promoting food sustainability within the living space.
04
Designed to transition between "Protect" and "Bloom" modes for weather resilience.
05
Employs rainwater harvesting systems to support sustainable water use.

### Overview
Located in tropical climates, the aflora housing concept reflects an innovative and culturally informed approach to residential architecture. The project prioritizes flexibility, adaptability, and sustainability to address the challenges posed by climate change and community dynamics. By blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living, it promotes an engaged lifestyle that fosters community resilience and aligns with traditional practices.

### Spatial Strategy
The design features a dual operational mode system, delineated as "Protect" and "Bloom," each catering to specific environmental conditions. In **Protect Mode**, the housing unit is configured to provide security and privacy during storms or adverse weather, ensuring a livable interior. Conversely, **Bloom Mode** allows for expanded living spaces that encourage interaction with the outdoors, enhancing natural light and ventilation while optimizing exterior areas for social engagement and activities.

### Materiality and Sustainability
The choice of materials plays a critical role in the project’s ecological strategy. A combination of **terracotta**, **corrugated metal**, and **steel** contributes to aesthetic appeal and durability while also reflecting local building traditions. The structure's modular components are designed to slide or fold, enabling adaptability in space requirements. Sustainable features include **rainwater capture systems**, **solar panels**, and **natural ventilation**, complemented by a **vertical orchard** integrated within the design. This allows residents to cultivate food directly in their living environments, promoting both sustainability and self-sufficiency.

Incorporating adjustable structures and sustainable materials, aflora effectively addresses ecological and social considerations, emphasizing resilience in the face of extreme weather challenges typical of tropical regions.

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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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