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Wind Towers and Green Roofs Enhancing Biodiversity in a Sustainable Residential Ecosystem

Wind Towers and Green Roofs Enhancing Biodiversity in a Sustainable Residential Ecosystem
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With integrated wind towers, green roofs, and vertical gardens, this residential ecosystem optimizes natural ventilation and biodiversity while promoting sustainable living practices.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates wind towers to facilitate natural cooling without mechanical systems.
02
Utilizes green roofs to improve insulation and support local biodiversity.
03
Features vertical gardens for urban agriculture and enhanced food security.
04
Employs soil as a thermal mass to regulate indoor temperatures effectively.
05
Integrates a rainwater harvesting system for sustainable water use.

## Architectural Design Report: "Inner Oasis"

### Overview
Located in a region marked by arid landscapes, this residential design addresses contemporary environmental challenges while fostering a connection between its inhabitants and the natural surroundings. The project emphasizes ecological sustainability, creating a living environment in which the ecosystem and its residents coexist symbiotically, enhancing both personal well-being and ecological health.

### Spatial Configuration and Design Innovations
The layout features a collection of modular units organized around a central courtyard, which serves as a communal heart for interaction and engagement with nature. The central courtyard includes water features and diverse vegetation that promote a favorable microclimate and encourage biodiversity. Each living unit is designed for flexibility, allowing them to be reconfigured to meet the evolving needs of families. The incorporation of expansive openings enables natural light infiltration and cross-ventilation, enhancing indoor environmental quality while also integrating water harvesting and dew collection systems to optimize resource usage.

### Material Selection and Environmental Integration
The choice of materials is central to both the sustainability and aesthetic objectives of the project. Natural soil serves as a primary building component, contributing to thermal mass and incorporating living systems within the architecture. Reinforced concrete provides structural integrity, while glass elements facilitate transparency and strengthen the visual connection between interior living spaces and the exterior environment. Geotextiles are utilized for effective drainage and landscape stabilization, reinforcing the design's ecological intentions.

Key innovative features include wind towers that harness natural ventilation, green roofs that support thermal regulation and biodiversity, and vertical gardens for urban agriculture, promoting self-sufficiency. Additionally, the implementation of solar panels and dew collection technologies is designed to minimize environmental impact and enhance resource efficiency, positioning the dwelling as a proactive entity in ecological restoration.

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The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
Kinderspace
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The Home of 
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The Home of Shadows
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The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
100,000€ Prize / 2026

The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

`
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.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

Open architecture competitions

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The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

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Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025
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Design slow sauna in Iceland

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Design a new concept of small-scale home and share a prize fund of 100,000€

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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

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