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Vertical Planters and a Puppet Counter Create an Engaging Community Café Experience

Authors:
Yamina Sam, Simon Jobin, Simon Carpentier
Vertical Planters and a Puppet Counter Create an Engaging Community Café Experience
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A puppet counter complements vertical planters in a community café that supports local social causes through interactive patron engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Puppet counter design fosters a collaborative atmosphere between staff and patrons.
02
Vertical planters integrate greenery into the café, enhancing the urban environment.
03
Modular layout allows for flexible use of space and adaptability to different locations.
04
Steel frame construction ensures durability while maintaining a lightweight profile.
05
Interactive coffee columns link consumer choices directly to local social causes.

## Project Overview
The Covfefe Wall is a contemporary architectural project designed to foster community interaction within urban environments. It aims to create a social and cultural hub that enables connections among locals, artists, and consumers, primarily through a café setting. By allowing patrons to contribute to various social causes via their purchases, the project supports local artists, musicians, and outreach efforts for marginalized groups. Its adaptable design makes it suitable for implementation in diverse urban neighborhoods.

## Spatial Configuration and Functional Components
The layout employs a modular design featuring a prominent partition that serves as the main interaction zone. Designated planting areas enhance the user experience by introducing natural elements into the space. Within this context, a series of columns symbolizes different social causes, allowing patrons to choose which initiative they would like to support. This element not only raises awareness but also encourages community participation. The barista operates from a counter that fosters an egalitarian atmosphere, with its playful form reinforcing functionality.

## Materiality and Visual Integration
The design incorporates durable materials that also prioritize aesthetic appeal. A steel frame provides structural stability, while wood laths and panels add warmth to the façade. A concrete base offers essential grounding support, and a transparent awning ensures protection while maintaining visibility for engagement. The overall design employs a minimalistic yet impactful aesthetic characterized by clean lines and a subdued color palette, enabling integration with various urban contexts. Vertical planters further enhance ecological awareness by promoting greenery in densely populated areas.

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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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20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
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