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Windcatchers and Natural Cooling: a Sustainable Residence Featuring Modular Concrete and Wood Construction

Windcatchers and Natural Cooling: a Sustainable Residence Featuring Modular Concrete and Wood Construction
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With an emphasis on windcatchers and passive cooling systems, the residence incorporates modular concrete and wooden components to create a flexible living space that is well-suited for a hot climate.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes windcatchers for natural ventilation, enhancing indoor air quality.
02
Incorporates a geothermal cooling system leveraging locally sourced water.
03
Features modular construction allowing for adaptable living spaces.
04
Employs double walls for superior thermal insulation in a warm climate.
05
Integrates solar panels to promote energy self-sufficiency.

# Analytical Report on the Al-Dar House of the Future

## Overview
Located in a region characterized by hot and humid climates, the Al-Dar House of the Future addresses the pressing need for sustainable residential solutions. The design employs a comprehensive strategy that integrates passive and automated technologies aimed at optimizing living conditions while minimizing resource consumption. This villa serves as a model for future residential developments, focusing on environmental efficiency and modern comfort.

## Spatial Strategy
The architectural layout emphasizes natural ventilation and daylighting, which are critical for maintaining indoor air quality and comfort. Key features include double walls that enhance thermal insulation, innovative ventilation systems utilizing traditional malqafs to adapt to climatic conditions, and two inner courtyards that facilitate air circulation and community interaction. The strategic placement of spaces allows for a functional flow, accommodating living areas, bedrooms, and service zones while remaining adaptable to potential future needs.

## Materiality and Sustainability
The material selection for the Al-Dar House reflects a commitment to both performance and aesthetic appeal. Structural components utilize concrete for durability, while wooden louvers, strategically replaced with precast concrete slabs, provide shading and visual warmth. The design incorporates substantial glazing to optimize natural light and interior-exterior connections. Sustainable technologies are integrated, including solar panels for renewable energy generation and geothermal systems for effective climate control. Additionally, aluminum elements contribute to a lightweight structure, while hemp mesh materials enhance the villa's environmental management systems. This careful consideration of materiality underscores the dual objective of sustainability and livability.

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The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
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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

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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
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026

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

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