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Charred Wooden Shingles and Terrazzo Floors Create a Harmonious Family Home in Dubai

Authors:
Zoran Matkovic, Stefan Jovanovic, Uros Maksimovic, Vladan KijevČanin
Charred Wooden Shingles and Terrazzo Floors Create a Harmonious Family Home in Dubai

Project in-detail

Incorporating charred wooden shingles and sustainable clay finishes, this family residence in Dubai balances modern aesthetics with cultural heritage, creating a functional space for daily living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and aesthetics.
02
Utilizes cross-laminated timber panels for structural integrity and sustainability.
03
Features a bent A-frame design to optimize natural light and ventilation.
04
Includes a central courtyard that promotes outdoor connectivity and privacy.
05
Employs natural clay finishes that provide thermal regulation in the hot climate.

### Project Overview
The Dubai House of the Future, located in Dubai, UAE, exemplifies a contemporary residential design that balances modern needs with traditional values. This two-story family residence prioritizes themes such as privacy, community, and the integration of indoor and outdoor environments, reflecting the evolving nature of urban living. The design creates family-oriented spaces while honoring the rich cultural heritage of the region.

### Spatial Arrangement and Functionality
The layout of the residence is organized to foster interaction and connection among family members while also providing private quarters. The ground floor comprises a spacious living area, kitchen, and dining spaces that flow naturally into the garden, encouraging social interaction and visual continuity with the outdoor environment. The first floor includes several bedrooms, designed to offer individual privacy while maintaining a link to family-centric areas. Open spaces such as courtyards and shaded terraces serve multiple functions, including relaxation and social gatherings, thereby enhancing the overall living experience.

### Material and Sustainability Considerations
The project employs a thoughtfully selected material palette that reflects local heritage and supports sustainability. Traditional clay finishes provide essential thermal regulation in the hot climate, while wood elements contribute warmth and comfort. Large glass panels facilitate natural light penetration and establish a visual connection with the exterior, enhancing the sense of openness. Terrazzo flooring not only adds a luxurious aesthetic but also aligns with regional architectural traditions. The incorporation of passive design strategies, such as shading pergolas, minimizes heat and glare, demonstrating a commitment to energy efficiency and ecological responsibility. The adaptable design accommodates potential future expansion, ensuring long-term functionality for residents while balancing personal privacy with community engagement.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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