Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Charred Wooden Shingles and Traditional Screens Formulating A Contemporary Family Home

Author:
Arkadiusz Piotr Strzelecki
Charred Wooden Shingles and Traditional Screens Formulating A Contemporary Family Home

Project in-detail

Incorporating charred wooden shingles and traditional wooden screens, the design enhances thermal efficiency while fostering family connection in a modern residential setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Integrates traditional wooden screens for climate control and privacy.
02
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and fire resistance.
03
Features a central courtyard to enhance natural ventilation and light.
04
Employs cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency and sustainability.
05
Design supports family-oriented spaces with flexible layouts for communal living.

## Overview
The Emirati House is situated in the United Arab Emirates, where it seeks to engage with the region's cultural identity while addressing contemporary living needs. This residential design integrates both modern features and traditional elements to foster a deeper connection between inhabitants and their environment. The layout encourages interaction among family members, aligning with cultural values while providing a comfortable living space that is adaptable to the local climate.

### Spatial Configuration
The layout features an open-plan ground floor arranged around a central courtyard, which optimizes natural light and ventilation. Key areas, including the living room, dining area, and kitchen, are interconnected to facilitate gatherings and communal activities. The upper floor prioritizes privacy, containing individual bedroom suites and family rooms designed for a more intimate atmosphere. Balconies adorned with greenery enhance the living experience, creating shaded outdoor spaces that contribute to the overall comfort of the home.

### Material Selection
Materiality in the Emirati House emphasizes sustainability and regional relevance. Concrete serves as the primary structural element, providing enhanced durability and thermal mass. Stone cladding offers both aesthetic appeal and a connection to local traditions. Decorative wooden screens encourage airflow while providing privacy, and large glass windows maximize natural light and blur the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces. Landscape design incorporates native vegetation, reinforcing ecological responsibility and enhancing outdoor environments.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

`
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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy