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Waffle Slab Core and Glazed Facade Define Sustainable Micro Living

Authors:
Federrico Mannino, Sonia Gaudencio
Waffle Slab Core and Glazed Facade Define Sustainable Micro Living
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Utilizing a container slab and a glazed façade, the design maximizes light and space efficiency while creating a sustainable micro home that integrates essential living functions with its natural surroundings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes a container slab for adaptable storage solutions.
02
Central square core houses all essential utilities.
03
Integrates an openable glazed wall for natural light and views.
04
Compact design spans just 25 square meters.
05
Optimized thermal performance through strategic layout.

The Microhome project offers a unique perspective on minimalist living within a compact space. Located in a natural environment, the design combines practicality with sustainability. The aim is to create a space that meets modern living requirements while also being mindful of resource consumption and land use. The guiding principle of "less is more" is evident throughout the design, making it suitable for contemporary lifestyles.

Core Structure
A square core serves as the foundation of the design, supported by main beams and a waffle slab. This core contains essential components such as a bathroom, water storage, and a battery system for solar energy. By centralizing these functions, the design reduces the building's overall footprint. This strategy allows the adjacent living area to be more functional and open.

Spatial Configuration
The Microhome covers a living area of 25 square meters and features a fully glazed exterior. This design choice brings in ample natural light, making the space feel larger and more inviting. Surrounding the living area is a terrace, which extends the dwelling's usable space. An openable glass wall enhances the connection between inside and outside, allowing occupants to engage with nature from their living room.

Container Slab
One notable feature of the Microhome is the use of a container slab. This design element provides an adaptable space that can adjust to various needs. It offers storage solutions without cluttering the main living area. This approach enables a more comfortable living environment while allowing for personal privacy.

Adaptability
The structure is built to adapt to different natural surroundings. Employing a regular construction system ensures stability and resilience, making it suitable for various locations. This adaptability emphasizes the design’s relevance to sustainable practices, showing a commitment to harmonizing with the environment.

Natural light floods the interior, complemented by cross-ventilation pathways created by strategically placed openings in the façade. This thoughtful detail enhances energy efficiency and contributes to the comfort of those living in the Microhome.

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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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