The Next House: USA

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?

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.

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.

The aim is not only to generate compelling designs but 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.

PRIZES

3 winning proposals, 2 special award recipients and 6 honourable mentions will be selected. Buildner will award a total of $20,000 in prize money to competition winners as follows:

1st Prize: $10,000
2nd Prize: $5,000
3rd Prize: $3,000
+ 6 honourable mentions 

Buildner Student Award: $1,000
Buildner Sustainability Award: $1,000

COMPETITION SCHEDULE

Advance Registration: November 20: February 18
Last Minute Registration: February 19: May 20

Final registration deadline: May 20, 2026
Closing date for submission: June 30, 2026 (23:59 LONDON TIME)
Announcement of the winners: September 22, 2026