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Charred Wood Shingles and Natural Stone Form a Central Courtyard Residence in a Cultural Landscape

Author:
Arthur-mircea Toth
Charred Wood Shingles and Natural Stone Form a Central Courtyard Residence in a Cultural Landscape

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wood shingles and natural stone, this residence enhances community interaction through a centrally located courtyard while respecting the cultural heritage of its environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and fire resistance.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency and sustainability.
03
Features a central courtyard designed to foster social interaction among residents.
04
Integrates traditional mashrabiya for shading and ventilation, maintaining cultural relevance.
05
Employs passive solar strategies to optimize natural light and energy efficiency.

## Overview

Located in Dubai, the project addresses contemporary social and environmental challenges by merging traditional and modern architectural elements. Its objective is to create a living environment that encourages social interaction and reflects cultural identity while adhering to sustainable practices. The design framework not only emphasizes individual privacy but also fosters connections within the community, providing a robust response to urban sprawl and disconnection.

## Spatial Organization

The layout features a central courtyard at the heart of each residence, inspired by traditional Arab architecture. This design strategy facilitates a balance between communal and private spaces. Communal areas include a pool, majlis, and gardens, promoting social engagement. Private zones ensure family privacy while maintaining an interconnected spatial experience that cultivates a sense of belonging. This arrangement supports both communal activities and individual needs, offering flexible living arrangements for evolving family structures.

## Material Selection and Sustainability

Locally sourced materials play a key role in the design, enhancing cultural resonance and supporting environmental sustainability. Concrete provides structural integrity, while extensive use of glass maximizes natural light and establishes a connection with outdoor spaces. Natural stone contributes to thermal comfort, and wood adds warmth to interiors. The incorporation of traditional mashrabiya not only provides functional shading but also enhances airflow and aesthetic continuity. This combination of materials reinforces the project's sustainability features, including a U-shaped design that minimizes sun exposure and promotes natural ventilation, aimed at reducing energy consumption.

The integration of landscaped areas with native plants and productive gardens further enhances the relationship between indoor and outdoor environments, supporting sustainable living practices while improving residents' quality of life.

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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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