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Windcatcher Design Incorporating Reinforced Concrete and Perforated Panels for Enhanced Natural Cooling

Windcatcher Design Incorporating Reinforced Concrete and Perforated Panels for Enhanced Natural Cooling
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Employing traditional windcatchers and reinforced concrete alongside perforated panels, this design effectively enhances natural ventilation while serving as a contemporary family residence.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes traditional windcatchers to enhance natural air circulation.
02
Incorporates reinforced concrete for structural integrity in coastal conditions.
03
Features perforated panels that provide shading while maintaining airflow.
04
Adaptable interior spaces designed for evolving family needs.
05
Employs a central courtyard to optimize light and privacy.

### Project Overview

Located in a coastal environment, this design draws on traditional Middle Eastern architecture while integrating contemporary approaches to functionality and sustainability. The intent is to create resilient living spaces that respect local cultural heritage and climatic considerations, capturing the essence of the region’s architectural identity through modern innovations.

### Cultural Integration and Environmental Considerations

The project prominently features a wind tower, or **barjeel**, which serves both a historical reference and a practical role in natural ventilation. This design element demonstrates a commitment to climate-responsive architecture while facilitating passive cooling strategies. Sustainability serves as a primary framework, with wind catchers and solar panels employed to enhance energy efficiency and reduce reliance on artificial cooling systems. The architectural strategy emphasizes the harmonious coexistence of cultural heritage and modern needs.

### Spatial Configuration and Materiality

Organization around a central courtyard fosters natural light and promotes air circulation, encouraging social interaction while addressing privacy concerns typical in traditional layouts. The room orientations are carefully considered to optimize views and mitigate direct sunlight exposure, enhancing indoor comfort.

Material selection includes reinforced concrete for its durability and thermal mass, extensive glazing to promote natural light and establish a connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, and steel for structural integrity. The façade integrates perforated panels that provide shading, enhancing both functionality and aesthetic appeal through a dynamic interplay of solid and void. Additionally, landscaping is designed to support communal living, with seating and water features incorporated to facilitate social engagement among residents.

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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.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

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

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