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Breathing Blocks and Sustainable Innovation in a Mountainous Environment

Authors:
Abdelrahman Elmansoury, Turki Asiri, Sultan Abdulsattar, Khalid Al zahrani
Breathing Blocks and Sustainable Innovation in a Mountainous Environment

Project in-detail

Utilizing breathing blocks to enhance indoor air quality, the design effectively captures solar energy while integrating a gray water recycling system, serving mixed-use functions in the mountainous landscape of Taif.
5 key facts about this project
01
Breathing blocks enhance indoor air quality by efficiently absorbing pollutants.
02
The southern façade is optimized for solar energy capture to reduce heat loads.
03
A gray water recycling system repurposes wastewater for irrigation purposes.
04
Tensile cladding made from pvdf fabric contributes to lightweight design elements.
05
Strategic balcony setbacks create shading and minimize heat exposure inside.

The Bathra Tower is located in Taif, Saudi Arabia, an area known for its beautiful landscapes and rich culture. The tower serves multiple purposes, blending with the mountain backdrop of Mount Bathra. Its design draws from the local geography, making it a part of the region while focusing on environmental responsibility and sustainability.

Sustainability Features

The Bathra Tower prioritizes sustainability through various innovative design elements. Breathing blocks are used within the building to absorb pollutants, improving indoor air quality. This feature plays a crucial role in managing air pollution, ensuring a healthier environment for everyone inside.

The building also incorporates a gray water recycling system. This system repurposes water from sinks and showers for irrigation, supporting efforts to conserve water. By utilizing wastewater in this manner, the tower reduces its ecological impact and showcases its commitment to sustainable practices.

Energy Efficiency Strategies

The southern façade of the building is designed with energy efficiency in mind. Research shows that this facade can effectively capture solar energy, which helps to lessen heat in the building. Balconies are thoughtfully positioned with a two-meter setback that provides shade, further protecting interior spaces from excessive heat.

Wind Management

Wind conditions are another important consideration in the design of the Bathra Tower. Analysis indicates that the western façade faces the most wind exposure. To address this, a secondary façade is added to shield the structure from wind, helping to create a more comfortable environment for occupants.

The tower features pvdf fabric for its tensile cladding. This material is lightweight yet strong, allowing for flexible design options that align with the overall vision of the project. The combination of these elements results in a building that is both functional and connected to its natural surroundings.

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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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