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Charred Timber Cladding and Passive Cooling Strategies in a Family-Focused Residence

Authors:
Daniela Pastore, Luigi Straffi, Howard Choy
Charred Timber Cladding and Passive Cooling Strategies in a Family-Focused Residence

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred timber cladding and a central windcatcher for passive cooling, this residence integrates sustainable materials and cultural principles to create a cohesive family living environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wooden shingles provide both aesthetic appeal and enhanced durability.
02
A central windcatcher facilitates natural ventilation throughout the home.
03
Cross-laminated timber panels are used for structural flexibility and sustainability.
04
Private and public zones are seamlessly integrated for dynamic family interactions.
05
Outdoor gardens and courtyards enhance connectivity with nature within the residence.

### Project Overview
Located in the United Arab Emirates, the "Warp and Weft" residential development aims to create a cohesive living environment informed by contemporary Feng Shui principles. The design emphasizes environmental awareness, cultural relevance, and the importance of family relationships. It draws from the metaphor of weaving, which symbolizes community interconnectedness, guiding the overall spatial organization and architectural articulation.

### Spatial Organization and Zoning
The architectural layout employs a strategic orientation that optimizes solar energy for natural light and ventilation, with an East-West axis enhancing exposure throughout the day. The zoning reflects a carefully constructed gradient of privacy: public spaces are positioned towards the exterior, while intimate areas, including bedrooms, are located inward. This division fosters a balance between private and communal interactions, encouraging social connectivity within the home.

### Material Selection and Sustainability
A focus on sustainability drives the choice of materials in this project. Key elements include:
- **Wood-Concrete Blocks**: These materials provide lightweight qualities and thermal insulation, promoting energy efficiency.
- **Ecological Insulating Inserts**: Designed to enhance the microclimate within the residence, these inserts prioritize energy conservation.
- **Adjustable Shading Panels**: These elements control solar gain, promoting outdoor comfort and enhancing energy performance.
- **Windcatcher Systems**: Integrating traditional passive cooling techniques, these features utilize wind patterns for natural ventilation, affirming the design’s response to local climatic conditions.

The project's innovative approach merges traditional architectural elements with modern sustainability practices, setting a framework for future residential designs that respect both environmental and cultural contexts.

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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
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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Chair
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Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
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MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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