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Charred Wooden Shingles and High-Performance Concrete Shaping Sustainable Family Living

Author:
Aimee Elshafei
Charred Wooden Shingles and High-Performance Concrete Shaping Sustainable Family Living

Project in-detail

Incorporating charred wooden shingles and ultra-high performance concrete, this residence emphasizes sustainability and cultural heritage while providing a functional family living environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with ultra-high performance concrete for enhanced durability and thermal efficiency.
02
Incorporates a modular design allowing for future expansion without structural disruption.
03
Features extensive glass elements to maximize natural light while maintaining energy performance.
04
Utilizes local flora in landscaping to support biodiversity and reduce water consumption.
05
Adopts greywater recycling systems for sustainable water management throughout the residence.

### Overview

Located near Palm Jebel Ali in the Emirates, this residential project merges traditional Emirati cultural elements with contemporary architectural strategies. It prioritizes sustainability and community well-being, reflecting the region's heritage while addressing modern living standards. The design process incorporates local materials and practices, consistently aligning with core values of hospitality and respect inherent in Emirati culture.

### Spatial Configuration

The ground floor is strategically designed to facilitate both privacy and communal interaction, spanning 250 square meters with designated areas for various functions, including a main lobby, Majlis, living and dining spaces, kitchen, and guest facilities. The first floor, covering 105 square meters, focuses on enhancing privacy with bedrooms, a second lobby, and multiple bathrooms. An organized adjacency diagram exemplifies effective spatial zoning, promoting a logical flow between areas to meet social and functional requirements.

### Material Selection and Sustainability Features

Utilizing environmentally sustainable materials, the project employs Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) for durability, expansive glazing to maximize natural light, interlock pavers for durability in outdoor spaces, and advanced curtain wall systems to improve thermal performance. Sustainability is further evidenced through innovative features such as solar gain optimization with shading devices, photovoltaic systems for renewable energy generation, and efficient water management strategies including greywater recycling. The modular design allows for future expansions while maintaining harmony with existing structures.

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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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