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Circular Design Featuring Evaporative Cooling and Ceramic Accents in a Family-Focused Environment

Authors:
Nicol Yamin Badour, Salem Shamia
Circular Design Featuring Evaporative Cooling and Ceramic Accents in a Family-Focused Environment

Project in-detail

Utilizing a circular layout complemented by evaporative cooling techniques and ceramic accents, the design fosters a harmonious indoor-outdoor experience tailored for contemporary family living in the UAE.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes evaporative cooling techniques to maintain comfortable outdoor areas in a hot climate.
02
Features gender-segregated Majlis designed for traditional social gatherings.
03
Incorporates a circular family space that integrates indoor and outdoor views.
04
Uses extensive glass facades to enhance natural light and visual connectivity.
05
Includes a green roof that promotes environmental sustainability and biodiversity.

### Overview
Koun is situated in the United Arab Emirates and reinterprets contemporary living by merging spaces for residential, professional, and communal activities. It addresses the evolving lifestyles of Emirati residents who value both indoor comfort and outdoor connections. The project aims to foster community interactions while reflecting cultural heritage and environmental context.

### Spatial Strategy
The design facilitates a multifunctional environment that accommodates various daily activities such as work and family gatherings. Central to the layout are dynamic spaces that encourage both social interaction and personal privacy. The organization of areas promotes fluidity across functional zones, with a circular family space serving as a focal point that visually connects to an internal garden, further blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor environments. Key areas across multiple levels include a basement designed for essential functions, a gender-segregated Majlis on the ground floor, and communal living spaces on the first floor enhanced by terraces.

### Materiality and Environmental Integration
Koun employs materials that balance modern architectural practices with traditional Emirati aesthetics. Primary materials include reinforced concrete for structural integrity, extensive glass façades for natural light, and clay accents to echo local architectural heritage. The design integrates landscape elements through gardens and green roofs, aligning with strategies for ecological sustainability. Advanced evaporative cooling techniques enhance outdoor comfort, making outdoor spaces usable even in the region's arid climate. This thoughtful material choice and design philosophy underscore a commitment to harmonizing the built environment with nature.

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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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