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Bipv-Integrated Villa Featuring Windcatchers and Traditional Mashrabiya Elements

Author:
Seyed Mohammad Hossein Seyed Ahmad Alipour Yazdi
Bipv-Integrated Villa Featuring Windcatchers and Traditional Mashrabiya Elements

Project in-detail

Incorporating BIPV solar panels and traditional windcatchers, this villa utilizes natural ventilation and energy-efficient materials to create a sustainable family residence in Dubai.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates Building-Integrated Photovoltaic solar panels within the roofing.
02
Features traditional windcatchers for enhanced passive cooling.
03
Utilizes mashrabiya for privacy and diffused natural light.
04
Employs high-quality insulation to optimize energy performance.
05
Includes water recycling systems for sustainable irrigation.

### Overview

Located in Dubai, UAE, this residential villa is designed to reflect contemporary architectural practices while honoring local cultural heritage. The intent is to create a living environment that merges energy efficiency with traditional aesthetics, resulting in a distinctive and functional residence. The design carefully considers the local climate and cultural context, ensuring relevance in a rapidly evolving urban landscape.

### Spatial Organization and Environmental Strategies

The villa encompasses a total plot area of 450 square meters, with a built-up area of 395 square meters, structured over two levels. The layout includes four bedrooms, a maid's room, a majlis for social gatherings, and a storage area, accommodating up to nine occupants. A focus on maximizing natural light and ventilation informs the internal arrangement, which features well-positioned balconies and patios that enhance the indoor-outdoor connection.

Key sustainable elements include the incorporation of Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) solar panels, which not only generate electricity but also provide shading. Additionally, double roofing minimizes heat gain, promoting thermal comfort, while strategically placed windcatchers facilitate passive cooling. The use of traditional mashrabiya screens contributes to privacy and light management, enhancing both aesthetic and functional qualities.

### Material Selection and Sustainability

The selection of materials reflects a balance of modern durability and traditional form. The structure utilizes concrete for its strength, large glass panels for light optimization, and timber for warmth and charm. Insulation materials are employed to maximize energy efficiency and reduce cooling loads, while weather-resistant finishes ensure resilience against Dubai’s environmental conditions.

Sustainability is further prioritized through various strategies: the villa's annual energy use intensity is approximately 54,054 kWh/year, with cooling loads accounting for 37,764.54 kWh/year. BIPV systems are projected to generate around 48,000 kWh/year, significantly offsetting energy consumption. Water conservation measures, including wastewater treatment for irrigation and pressure-assisted fixtures, underline the commitment to sustainable living. Passive design techniques, such as optimal window placements and blackout curtains, enhance thermal performance by controlling heat gain.

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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

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