Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Charred Timber Facades and Exposed Concrete in a Sustainable Courtyard Housing Complex

Authors:
Yoel Dan Goldstein, Jonathan Zisser, Noa Guy, Amin Yassin, Yaniv Pini Hatiel
Charred Timber Facades and Exposed Concrete in a Sustainable Courtyard Housing Complex

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred timber facades and exposed concrete, this residential complex fosters a sense of community through its thoughtfully designed courtyard, while prioritizing sustainable living in the urban landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred timber facades for enhanced durability and aesthetic appeal.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels to maximize structural efficiency.
03
Features a central courtyard designed to promote community interaction and natural ventilation.
04
Employs passive cooling techniques to reduce energy consumption throughout the year.
05
Integrates local materials to connect the architecture with its geographical context.

## Overview

Located in Dubai, "The Sahn" project integrates contemporary and vernacular architectural principles, drawing inspiration from traditional courtyard houses found across the Arabian Gulf and North Africa. The design aims to create a flexible living environment that fosters community and sustainability, utilizing advanced computational design techniques. The project emphasizes the importance of social interaction and environmental integration, encouraging a sense of belonging among its residents.

## Spatial Organization and Community Engagement

The design reinterprets the traditional courtyard layout, arranging individual living units in proximity to promote communal living. A central courtyard serves as the heart of the building, enhancing natural light and airflow while facilitating social interactions. Flexible living spaces are configured to adapt to both private and communal functions, allowing residents to adjust their living arrangements according to their needs. Expansive glass panels create a visual connection between interior and exterior spaces, further enhancing the sense of community.

## Materiality and Environmental Strategies

The façade features a combination of exposed concrete, terracotta, and timber slats, creating a visually dynamic surface that balances modern aesthetics with traditional warmth. The use of locally sourced materials like stone and clay plaster inside the dwelling supports sustainability and cultural resonance. Bioclimatic strategies include natural ventilation to reduce reliance on mechanical cooling systems, as well as integrated photovoltaic panels that harness solar energy. The landscape design, featuring lush plantings in the central courtyard, not only contributes to biodiversity but also provides essential cooling effects in the arid environment.

The modular system employed throughout the project allows for flexibility in design, enabling adaptations for future needs. With intelligent layout configurations, "The Sahn" exemplifies a progressive approach to residential architecture, fostering a responsive living environment.

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

`

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