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Cascading Water Features and Lattice Facades in a Sustainable Family Villa

Author:
Sara Abdullah Yousuf Al-salmi
Cascading Water Features and Lattice Facades in a Sustainable Family Villa

Project in-detail

Constructed with a lattice facade and enhanced by cascading water features, the villa integrates natural stone and expansive spaces to create a sustainable family residence that reflects local cultural identity.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with a modern lattice facade that offers passive cooling and aesthetic appeal.
02
Incorporates cascading water features that enhance tranquility and connect to Emirati culture.
03
Rooftop gardens promote biodiversity and provide green spaces for residents.
04
Natural stone exterior creates a lasting bond with the surrounding landscape.
05
Strategically designed spaces ensure ample natural light and airflow throughout the villa.

### Overview
Located in the United Arab Emirates, this architectural design embodies the interplay of tradition and modernity. The project aims to reflect the nation’s heritage while integrating sustainable practices for future developments. It draws upon cultural narratives and symbols inherent to Emirati identity, leading to a thoughtful composition that balances aesthetic appeal with functional living spaces.

### Spatial Configuration
The layout is intricately organized across multiple levels, each designated for specific activities while promoting interconnectivity. The ground floor facilitates communal living, featuring a family hall and kitchen that open to landscaped areas, enhancing the indoor-outdoor experience through expansive glazing. Privacy is achieved with elegantly designed shading devices. The first floor accommodates personal bedrooms with balcony access to gardens, fostering a tranquil environment in close relation to nature. The penthouse serves as an intimate retreat with private outdoor space, maximizing views and enhancing the overall living experience.

### Material Selection
A meticulous approach to materiality underscores the project’s design philosophy. The structural core is composed of robust concrete, establishing a solid foundation. Extensive use of glass enhances transparency, creating a dialogue with the surroundings. Aluminum provides durability and modern detailing, while natural stone offers a timeless aesthetic for exterior surfaces. Wood elements, particularly in shading, add warmth, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere. These choices collectively reflect a fusion of contemporary design with traditional Emirati characteristics, reinforcing both visual identity and cultural resonance.

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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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