Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Carbon-Capturing Homes Built With Desert Sand Concrete and Plastic Walls

Authors:
Hok Liong Lie, Steffan Wi Tak Hegeman, Elisabetta Hoxhaj
Carbon-Capturing Homes Built With Desert Sand Concrete and Plastic Walls

Project in-detail

Constructed from carbon-capturing Sand Concrete and lightweight plastic walls, these homes integrate seamlessly into the desert environment while providing flexible living spaces for a sustainable community.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using Sand Concrete, which captures carbon during production.
02
Incorporates lightweight plastic walls for modular adaptability in design.
03
Features landscaping with native plants to enhance ecological integration.
04
Arranged in a grid layout to allow for flexible community configurations.
05
Utilizes renewable materials to minimize environmental impact in arid climates.

# Sandscape Homes: Analytical Report

## Overview

Sandscape Homes is situated in the United Arab Emirates and addresses the environmental and social challenges posed by the region's desert landscape. The project embodies a commitment to sustainability and community integration, focusing on innovative architectural solutions that harmonize with the local ecosystem. The design emphasizes the need for adaptive living spaces that can meet the demands of both residents and the harsh climatic conditions of the area.

## Material Innovation

The material palette of Sandscape Homes is integral to its sustainability goals. A primary component, **Sand Concrete**, is derived from local desert sand and employs carbon-capturing technologies during its production, significantly reducing the carbon footprint associated with conventional concrete. Additionally, the use of **recyclable plastic walls** contributes to a modular and lightweight structure, promoting flexibility in design and minimizing waste. Complementary elements such as **glass and metal** are incorporated for natural light integration and thermal efficiency, ensuring both aesthetic appeal and functionality.

## Spatial Configuration

The architectural layout features a versatile configuration centered around the **slab design**, which measures 30 meters by 5 meters and allows for multiple housing arrangements. This strategy supports a variety of dwelling types, including:

- **Private Villas**: Individual units with landscaping for personal outdoor spaces.
- **Flexible Houses**: Adaptable designs accommodating families and individuals, supporting diverse living arrangements.
- **Duplex Units**: Efficiently utilize land while maintaining privacy for residents.

The overarching design fosters cohesive neighborhoods through features like **integrated landscaping** with native flora and a **walkable street design**, promoting social interaction and community engagement. This approach highlights the project’s intention to create living environments that prioritize both ecological integrity and human connectivity.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

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

`
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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy