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Charred Wood Facade With Courtyard Design Enhancing Natural Ventilation in Residential Living

Authors:
Ghalib Anwar Alsaid, Fatima Zohra El Bekri El Alaoui, Stephen Thomas Hopkins
Charred Wood Facade With Courtyard Design Enhancing Natural Ventilation in Residential Living

Project in-detail

Constructed with a charred wood facade and designed around a central courtyard that optimizes natural ventilation, the residence exemplifies a harmonious blend of traditional Emirati aesthetics and contemporary sustainable living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using a combination of charred wooden shingles and local stone for enhanced thermal performance.
02
Incorporates a central courtyard designed to optimize natural light and ventilation throughout the residence.
03
Features a cleverly designed bent A-frame structure that balances aesthetic appeal with functional resilience.
04
Utilizes cross-laminated timber panels, promoting sustainability and reducing overall environmental impact.
05
The layout prioritizes flexible living spaces, allowing for adaptability as family needs evolve over time.

## Project Overview

Located in the UAE, the design reflects the essence of Emirati cultural heritage while meeting contemporary architectural standards. The project explores the traditional courtyard typology, aiming to create a living space that is sustainable and culturally resonant. This approach aligns with the philosophies of Ibn Khaldun, emphasizing a harmonious relationship between historical context and present needs.

## Architectural Typology

The design interprets the traditional courtyard house with a focus on passive climate control and the balance between social interaction and privacy. The structure's configuration allows for natural ventilation and temperature regulation, ensuring comfort in the desert climate. The layout promotes family-oriented living while facilitating social interactions in communal areas. The two-tiered spatial configuration integrates various levels to foster engagement while maintaining defined private spaces. Strategic overhangs provide shade and enhance climate management, contributing to overall user comfort and visual connections.

## Materiality and Sustainability

The project employs a selection of materials that reflect local practices while enhancing sustainability. Local stone forms a prominent part of the façade, improving thermal performance and honoring regional traditions. Concrete offers durability and adaptability, while glass and metal elements allow for natural light modulation and connectivity with the outdoors. Wood accents add warmth and texture, further enriching the domestic environment. Sustainable design considerations include solar orientation to maximize natural light and minimize energy consumption, along with water management systems such as rainwater harvesting.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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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