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Charred Wooden Shingles and Cross-Ventilated Spaces in a Desert Home

Authors:
Raouf Ghasemi Barghi, Afsaneh Salehian, Sanaz Biukaghazadeh
Charred Wooden Shingles and Cross-Ventilated Spaces in a Desert Home

Project in-detail

Constructed with charred wooden shingles and enhanced by cross-ventilation, the villa seamlessly merges lush micro-gardens within a climate-responsive design to provide an adaptive residential environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with charred wooden shingles, the exterior enhances durability and aesthetic appeal.
02
The villa features cross-ventilated spaces that promote natural cooling throughout the interior.
03
Integrated micro-gardens in private areas support biodiversity and improve air quality.
04
The bent A-frame design optimizes structural stability while increasing light penetration.
05
Materials were sourced locally to reduce environmental impact and support regional industry.

### Overview

The Hanging Gardens Villa is situated in a hot, arid climate and aims to integrate natural elements within the living environment. The design combines sustainable practices with modern aesthetics, drawing inspiration from Mediterranean and Middle Eastern architectural traditions. By focusing on the incorporation of greenery into every aspect of the structure, the project emphasizes environmental stewardship while providing functional living spaces.

### Spatial Organization and User Experience

The villa's layout consists of distinct zones, separating private areas such as bedrooms from communal living spaces. This arrangement supports a balance of privacy and interaction, facilitated through shared courtyards and terraces. The design employs a central courtyard that enhances cross-ventilation and promotes social engagement among residents. Large, open living areas transition fluidly into one another, minimizing rigid spatial definitions and reinforcing a sense of adaptability.

### Material Selection and Sustainable Practices

Material choices are integral to the villa's design, with a focus on both structural integrity and ecological impact. Concrete serves as the primary construction material, providing essential support. Metal screens allow light while enhancing privacy and shading, complementing extensive use of glass, which connects interior spaces with the surrounding gardens. Wood is incorporated in partition walls and furnishings, adding warmth to the otherwise stark environment.

Sustainability is a core consideration in the design. Cross-ventilation strategies facilitate natural cooling, while integrated gardens contribute to biodiversity and microclimate regulation. Water efficiency techniques, such as the use of clay pillows for evaporative cooling, reflect a commitment to resource management and align with traditional cooling methods. The design ultimately addresses the challenges of the local climate, ensuring energy-efficient solutions that enhance the overall living experience.

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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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