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Volcanic Stone Integration with Natural Wood Elements for Community Engagement

Authors:
Yoan Baran, Léo Perret
Volcanic Stone Integration with Natural Wood Elements for Community Engagement
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Incorporating volcanic stone and wooden beams, the structure enhances its setting while fostering communal interaction and contemplation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates locally sourced volcanic stone for structural elements.
02
Features a belvedere roof that maximizes panoramic views of the landscape.
03
Includes community bleachers to facilitate social gatherings and events.
04
Utilizes a beams system that allows for flexible interior spatial configurations.
05
Strategically positions windows to enhance natural light and frame key views.

Wind Up to Meet serves as a place for contemplation and interaction, located in an area with views of a volcano. The design connects human experience with the natural environment, creating spaces that invite both solitude and social engagement. By combining different types of spaces, the design offers a variety of atmospheres that encourage visitors to reflect and interact with one another.

Architectural Concept

The concept emphasizes the relationship between various scales of space. The layout guides users from private areas to communal zones, allowing for heightened awareness of the site. This organization leads visitors to engage with both the landscape and the cultural elements present, navigating a balance between moments of quiet and opportunities for community interaction.

Materials and Construction

The structure employs a practical construction system that shapes materials relevant to the site. This approach allows for large openings toward the volcano, particularly from areas like the coffee shop room. As a result, natural light fills the interior, inviting the outdoor landscape inside. Notable materials include wooden beams that add warmth, as well as concrete posts that incorporate volcanic stone, linking the structure to its geographic context.

Spatial Dynamics

The building features guardrails and a belvedere roof that enhance safety while providing sweeping views of the surrounding areas. Windows are thoughtfully placed, drawing in natural light and framing important sightlines. The beams system ensures stability and supports various interior arrangements suited for different activities, fulfilling the design's goals.

Community Engagement

Bleachers within the design encourage gatherings and promote social interaction among visitors. The trapezoidal bases used in the structure offer both support and add to the overall visual language of the site. These elements help create a space that serves both individual reflection and collective engagement, deeply connected to the environment.

Attention to detail is reflected in the use of surface-mounted brass joinery. This craftsmanship enhances the overall aesthetic of the design and showcases quality in every aspect. Each element contributes to an experience that remains focused on the balance between built space and the natural world.

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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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