About Competition
For over half a century, the American suburban home has been more than just a building—it has been a cultural symbol, a promise, and at times a problem. Once imagined as the embodiment of comfort and stability, it now often represents excess, isolation, and environmental strain. How can this archetype be redefined for a century marked by climate urgency, economic pressure, and shifting social values? What does the “American home” mean today, and what should it mean tomorrow?
What makes a home?
The Next House: USA is Buildner’s invitation to explore those questions. This competition calls on architects, designers, and thinkers worldwide to envision a new suburban prototype: a home that is compact yet generous, adaptable yet grounded, replicable yet sensitive to place. It asks participants to go beyond size and spectacle, and instead focus on what makes a home truly meaningful—its adaptability, sustainability, affordability, and ability to nurture both family and community life.
Design a new prototype
With a total prize fund of 20,000 USD, the competition is open to all, from students to established professionals. The task is to design a home for a standard household of two adults and one child, with a maximum size of 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²), conceived as a prototype that could be replicated across the diverse climates and contexts of the United States.
What is the Next House?
The Next House: USA aims to spark a broader conversation: how can the suburban home evolve to reflect today’s realities and tomorrow’s aspirations?
The Next House: USA seeks ideas that redefine the American home—not as a relic of the past, but as a foundation for a smarter, healthier, and more connected future.
This competition is part of the broader discussion that Buildner has initiated on the meaning of home. Buildner has been creating dialogue around what a home truly is through recent success stories such as the House of the Future in partnership with the Dubai Government (€250,000 prize fund), the Kingspan Microhome (€150,000 prize fund), and the AIA Denver Affordable Housing Challenge ($20,000 prize fund), each exploring new ways to rethink scale, culture, and affordability in housing.
Jury
Jury members shall under no circumstances be contacted by competition participants or their representatives. Participants who attempt to contact jury members, shall be disqualified.
All jury members are involved in the evaluation based on their availability at that time. All communication regarding the competition should only be carried out with Builder staff.
Eligibility
This international competition is open to architects, artists, and creatives from all backgrounds. Whether you are an emerging talent, an established professional, or exploring a bold new idea, your vision is welcome. All submissions must be completed in English to ensure fair evaluation.
Prizes:
1ST Place: 10000 USD
2nd Place: 5000 USD
3rd Place: 3000 USD
Student award / Sustainability Award: 1000 USD
Honorable Mentions: 6
To find more details & Register visit HERE
LAST DATE OF REGISTRATION: 20 MAY 2026
LAST DATE OF SUBMISSION: 30 JUNE 2026
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