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Ceramic Lattice and Compacted Soil Create Sustained Harmony in Desert Living

Authors:
Carmen Lucia Gil Barbero, Amaya Urdanoz Sagües
Ceramic Lattice and Compacted Soil Create Sustained Harmony in Desert Living

Project in-detail

Incorporating ceramic latticework and compacted soil, the design seamlessly integrates with its desert environment while providing a multifaceted residential space that prioritizes sustainability and community interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates ceramic latticework for sun shading and natural light control.
02
Utilizes compacted soil as a primary construction and insulation material.
03
Features stacked volume design to minimize land disturbance and enhance cooling.
04
Includes private terraces for each bedroom, integrating personal green spaces.
05
Integrates water features to promote ecological balance and microclimate enhancement.

## Overview
Located in the Dubai desert, the Harmony of Heights project emphasizes a structural relationship with its unique environment. It aims to merge architecture with the stark landscape while prioritizing sustainability. The design intends to create a living space that acknowledges the desert’s distinct characteristics, offering a forward-thinking approach to modern living.

## Spatial Strategy and Functionality
The architectural layout is organized into three distinct levels, each designed for specific functional purposes. The ground floor includes parking and utility spaces, along with spacious living and dining areas that benefit from high ceilings and ample natural light. The first floor houses private quarters featuring three bedrooms, each with en-suite bathrooms and terraces that serve as personal gardens. The second floor is dedicated to a master suite, providing elevated views and a sense of privacy. This arrangement promotes both communal interaction and individual retreat through a thoughtful integration of social and private spaces.

## Material Selection and Sustainability
The project employs a curated selection of materials to ensure ecological integrity and energy efficiency. Compacted soil serves as the primary structural and insulating material, enhancing thermal regulation. Sand acts as a natural insulator, while ceramic latticework on the façade filters sunlight into the interior spaces. Extensive use of glass creates a connection between indoor and outdoor environments, and reinforced concrete provides structural stability without compromising aesthetics. The careful choice of local materials minimizes transportation-related emissions and incorporates elements of the surrounding landscape into the design, reflecting a commitment to sustainability.

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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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