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Arched Windows and Clay Plaster in a Sustainable Home with Integrated Gardens

Authors:
Jonas Gündar, Patrick Sobotka
Arched Windows and Clay Plaster in a Sustainable Home with Integrated Gardens

Project in-detail

Combining arched windows and clay plaster with integrated gardens, the design offers a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living, making it an ideal contemporary residence.
5 key facts about this project
01
A unique Majlis connects indoor hospitality to external gardens, enhancing social interaction.
02
The design incorporates underground water reservoirs for sustained irrigation and utility.
03
Large arched windows maximize natural light and create expansive views of the landscape.
04
Clay plaster is utilized for both aesthetic appeal and moisture regulation inside the home.
05
The integration of a rooftop photovoltaic system promotes energy independence and sustainability.

**Overview**
Villa Three Gardens is situated in a region characterized by abundant natural light, offering a contemporary residential solution that reflects both modern and traditional design principles. The intent is to create a functional living space that honors cultural heritage while accommodating modern lifestyles. The architectural composition integrates distinct areas within the villa, each with a specific purpose, fostering a cohesive design language that prioritizes usability and connection to the natural environment.

**Spatial Organization**
The layout of the villa is carefully crafted to encourage interaction among residents and guests, while also providing private retreats. The ground floor features an entry area that introduces a spacious atmosphere, a Majlis designed for hospitality that connects directly to the gardens, and open-plan dining and living spaces that expand onto an outdoor terrace and pool area. The kitchen and storage zones are efficiently designed to balance utility and aesthetics. On the first floor, the master suite serves as a personal retreat, complemented by additional bedrooms, each equipped with private bathrooms. Outdoor terraces provide versatile areas for relaxation and dining, ensuring a seamless connection with the surrounding greenery.

**Materiality and Sustainability**
The material selection for Villa Three Gardens prioritizes both sustainability and visual appeal. Reinforced concrete serves as the structural foundation, ensuring durability, while clay plaster offers a traditional aesthetic and regulates humidity levels. Expansive glass windows enhance natural light and afford views of the gardens, contributing to an airy ambiance. Timber accents in door and window frames introduce warmth, contrasting with the concrete's sturdiness. The incorporation of photovoltaic panels into the roofing system supports energy sustainability by utilizing solar power, while two underground water reservoirs ensure a consistent supply of both drinking and utility water, demonstrating the project’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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Competition organisers

The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

MICROHOME

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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Chair
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100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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