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Cave-Inspired Design Featuring Local Stone and Flexible Family Spaces in a Desert Context

Author:
Xin Ma
Cave-Inspired Design Featuring Local Stone and Flexible Family Spaces in a Desert Context

Project in-detail

Utilizing local stone and a cave-like spatial configuration, the design facilitates a balance between communal interaction and private retreats, accommodating the dynamic needs of modern family living in a desert environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes local stone to seamlessly blend with the surrounding desert landscape.
02
Features a cave-like spatial configuration to foster family interaction and privacy.
03
Incorporates large glass panels for enhanced natural lighting and views.
04
Includes flexible internal layouts that adapt to changing family dynamics.
05
Prioritizes thermal performance through strategic building orientation and materials.

## Project Overview

The Cave House in Between is a residential project located in a desert landscape, designed to explore the relationship between environmental elements and contemporary architectural practices. The framework emphasizes the adaptability of dwelling types to support familial units and acts as a transitional space, drawing inspiration from traditional cave dwelling forms.

## Spatial Configuration

### Communal and Private Zones

Central to the design is the concept of "shared cave," a large communal area aimed at fostering interaction among family members while also ensuring the necessity for private spaces. The communal zone serves as a multifunctional hub, capable of accommodating various activities as family dynamics evolve. Surrounding this area are smaller, private rooms designed for individual purposes, such as bedrooms and workspaces, which balance the need for social engagement with personal reflection.

## Materiality and Environmental Considerations

The material selection reflects the project's conceptual goals, utilizing concrete for structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. Large glass panels enhance transparency, maximizing natural light and blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. Local stone is incorporated into the façade, aligning the structure with its natural context and improving thermal efficiency. Wood elements introduce warmth and tactile contrast. Additionally, the design responds to the harsh desert climate through careful orientation and ventilation strategies, optimizing cooling and air circulation while adapting to seasonal changes.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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