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Breeze Blocks and Adobe Walls Shaping Sustainable Living in a Flexible Home

Authors:
Andrea Paola Benitez, Beatriz Hernandez Padron, Carmen Melissa Rodriguez Luna, Maria Alejandra CedeÑo Ovalles
Breeze Blocks and Adobe Walls Shaping Sustainable Living in a Flexible Home

Project in-detail

Utilizing breeze blocks and adobe construction, the home embodies a seamless blend of cultural heritage and modern sustainable practices, creating a flexible living environment that adapts to the needs of its occupants.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes locally sourced adobe bricks to enhance thermal performance and cultural relevance.
02
Features innovative breeze block facades for improved natural ventilation and light.
03
Employs a flexible grid system, allowing for future adaptability and expansion.
04
Incorporates solar panels seamlessly into the roof design for sustainable energy use.
05
Connects indoor and outdoor spaces through strategically angled passageways for enhanced flow.

## Project Overview

Passageway House, developed as part of the House of the Future initiative in the United Arab Emirates, integrates contemporary sustainable design with the cultural heritage of Emirati architecture. Located in a region rich in tradition, the design emphasizes adaptability and local context, creating a living space that aligns with the needs of modern inhabitants while respecting historical influences.

### Spatial Organization and Connectivity

The design implements a comprehensive zoning strategy that delineates public, semi-public, and private spaces. The ground floor comprises service and communal areas, facilitating accessibility and interaction. In contrast, the upper level features more private spaces, ensuring a level of separation from the public zones below.

Strategically designed passages, including 45-degree angled corridors, enhance connectivity throughout the residence. These pathways serve to bridge various sections of the house while promoting natural ventilation and light, thereby enriching the overall living experience.

### Materiality and Sustainability

The architectural fabric of Passageway House utilizes a diverse selection of materials, which are both functional and aesthetically relevant. Local bricks are employed to reference traditional construction methods while providing thermal mass for energy efficiency. Reinforced concrete is used in structural elements like the garage, while wood features prominently in roofing and interiors, offering warmth and a natural aesthetic.

Additionally, indigenous adobe bricks connect the design to local architectural traditions, and perforated breeze blocks enhance facade design by allowing light and air circulation. The integration of solar panels within the roof structure underscores a commitment to sustainable energy practices, demonstrating a multifaceted approach to environmental responsibility that is deeply rooted in the project's context.

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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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