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Weatherproof a-Frame with Wooden Tiles and Compact Living Solutions

Authors:
Anton Buller, Donna Felten
Weatherproof a-Frame with Wooden Tiles and Compact Living Solutions
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Constructed with wooden tiles and a fire-proof stove, the compact A-frame offers efficient living space designed for sustainability and year-round use.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed without a traditional foundation, allowing for minimal soil disturbance.
02
Incorporates a fold-out table to maximize limited interior space.
03
Features weatherproof entrances designed for year-round accessibility.
04
Utilizes a dry toilet system that promotes sustainability.
05
Crafted entirely from organic materials, with the exception of steel bolts and windows.

The prefabricated Single A-Frame structure is located in Latvia and is designed with simplicity and practicality in mind. It serves as a compact living space that focuses on efficiency and functionality. The A-frame shape enhances structural stability and allows for flexible placement across different environments. The overall design aims to address modern living needs while blending into the natural surroundings.

Materials and Sustainability

This design makes use of wooden tiles, which add to the building's durability as well as its visual character. These materials help the structure withstand various weather conditions. An important aspect of the design is the commitment to using organic materials, reflecting a concern for the environment and a desire to keep the ecological impact minimal.

Functional Layout

Inside, the layout is crafted to accommodate essential day-to-day activities within a small area. Spaces are allocated for work, meditation, and relaxation, giving residents the opportunity to balance productivity and rest. A dry toilet and water dispenser are included, ensuring that basic needs are met without complicated systems. There is also storage space and a stove installed on a fire-proof plate, which maintains safety and allows for cooking.

Innovative Footing and Structural Details

Using an innovative approach, this design eliminates the need for traditional foundations. This method reduces soil disturbance and supports ecological preservation in the area. The walls feature spaced sheathing and wood shakes, offering good insulation and adding a rustic touch to the appearance. Practical design features, such as a removable sleeping space and a fold-out table, show careful consideration of how to maximize the limited space available.

Attention to detail is evident in additional features like a weatherproof entrance and a designated firewood porch. These elements ensure the building is prepared for year-round living, highlighting the thoughtful approach taken in the overall design.

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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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