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Charred Wooden Shingles and Composite Louvers Create Privacy in Emirati Family Residence

Authors:
Christopher Scott Muchow, Crispin Michael Blamphin
Charred Wooden Shingles and Composite Louvers Create Privacy in Emirati Family Residence

Project in-detail

Built with charred wooden shingles and composite louvers that enhance privacy while optimizing natural light, this Emirati residence combines traditional materials with contemporary design elements to support modern family living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wooden shingles provide fire resistance while enhancing aesthetic appeal.
02
Cross-laminated timber panels offer both structural stability and energy efficiency.
03
The bent A-frame design maximizes ceiling height and interior spatial flexibility.
04
Composite louvers create privacy without sacrificing natural light infiltration.
05
Landscaped outdoor areas are integrated with communal spaces for family activities.

### Project Overview
Located within the Emirati context, Villa Gaia is a five-bedroom, six-bathroom residence designed to address the climatic and cultural preferences of its inhabitants. The project centers on the integration of indoor and outdoor spaces, fostering both privacy and community engagement. The design philosophy reflects the lifestyle of Emirati families by emphasizing functionality, materiality, and spatial organization.

### Spatial Organization
The layout of Villa Gaia is strategically developed across two levels, distinguishing between social and private spaces. The ground floor includes communal areas—such as the kitchen, dining room, and informal living spaces—featuring expansive glass doors that facilitate transitions to outdoor areas, including a swimming pool and landscaped gardens. Private zones are efficiently placed on the upper level, ensuring that family members can engage and retreat as needed.

### Material Selection and Climate Adaptation
The design incorporates a varied selection of materials that address both aesthetic and functional requirements suited to the local climate. Concrete provides structural integrity, while composite wood enhances warmth and privacy through louvers and patio elements. The use of large glass panes maximizes natural light and promotes transparency between indoor and outdoor environments. Stone is featured in landscaping and facades, reflecting regional architectural influences, while steel elements contribute to stability with a modern appearance.

Additionally, the design employs passive cooling techniques and strategic overhangs that minimize solar heat gain, promoting energy efficiency in the intense Emirati climate. Privacy considerations are addressed through the use of wooden slats and landscaping, achieving a balance between openness and seclusion, in alignment with cultural preferences.

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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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