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Circular Skylight and Slatted Façade Enhance Privacy in Sustainable Timber Residence

Author:
Srdan Petrovic
Circular Skylight and Slatted Façade Enhance Privacy in Sustainable Timber Residence

Project in-detail

A circular skylight forms the focal point in a sustainable timber residence that seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces through its slatted façade, providing a modern living environment designed for versatility and privacy.
5 key facts about this project
01
A central circular skylight enhances natural light throughout the living spaces.
02
The façade features a dynamic arrangement of slatted wood for privacy and ventilation.
03
Cross-laminated timber panels provide structural integrity while minimizing environmental impact.
04
The design includes adaptable zones that transform for various activities.
05
Charred wooden shingles create a visually distinct and weather-resistant exterior.

The X House is a residential architecture project designed to meet the needs of modern families, particularly young couples. The design integrates circular and rectangular forms, standing as a metaphor for contemporary family dynamics while promoting adaptable living environments. The structure comprises multiple zones, including living, cooking, dining, and private sleeping areas, all arranged around a central circular courtyard that allows natural light to permeate the interior spaces.

This project represents a seamless blend of aesthetics and function, emphasizing sustainability and efficiency in its architectural language. The utilization of various materials, such as sustainable timber, double-glazed glass, and lightweight concrete, highlights the project's commitment to environmental responsibility. By incorporating these materials, the X House ensures durability and energy efficiency, allowing for a comfortable living experience.

Spatial Dynamics and Unique Features

One notable aspect of the X House is its circular skylight, which serves as a focal point that enhances the visual connection between the indoor environment and the outside world. This architectural feature not only introduces ample daylight but also encourages occupants to engage with their surroundings. The choice of a wooden slatted façade enhances privacy and aesthetic appeal, while allowing for natural ventilation, ensuring a balance between openness and seclusion in residential living.

The design emphasizes interactivity, with sliding glass elements that facilitate flexible use of spaces. This unique approach allows family members to adapt areas for various activities, promoting a sense of community while maintaining individual privacy when needed. This fluidity in spatial arrangement sets the X House apart from many traditional residential designs that often prioritize static layouts, making it a relevant solution for modern living.

Material Selection and Environmental Considerations

The selection of materials plays a pivotal role in the overall performance and sustainability of the X House. The use of sustainable timber for structural framing and cladding reduces the environmental footprint while additionally adding textural elements to the design. Double-glazing technology employed at windows minimizes heat loss, contributing to energy efficiency. Lightweight concrete is strategically utilized for load-bearing walls, enhancing structural integrity without increasing overall mass.

Additionally, the integration of insulation materials further elevates the project’s sustainable objectives, ensuring low energy consumption throughout the year. By thoughtfully combining these materials, the X House achieves a harmony between design aesthetics, performance, and environmental consideration, showing that contemporary residential architecture can effectively address practical and ecological demands.

The X House serves as an invitation to explore the intersection of thoughtful design and sustainable living. To gain deeper insights into this innovative project, readers can examine architectural plans, sections, and designs that illustrate the creative thought process behind the X House. It stands as a testament to modern residential architecture, encouraging new ways of living and interacting with spaces.

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge invites architects and designers to create iconic public sculptures for one of two sites in Saudi Arabia: Abu Hadriyah Road or the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar. Proposals should reflect Saudi identity, culture, and future aspirations.

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge is an international architecture and design competition inviting creatives to shape the future of Saudi Arabia’s public spaces. With a total prize fund of €50,000, the competition calls for sculptural proposals that merge cultural symbolism with innovative design, offering participants a chance to see their concepts brought to life in a rapidly transforming national context.

Organised by Buildner in partnership with the Mujassam Watan Initiative, the challenge focuses on two prominent locations: Abu Hadriyah Road, a major highway and gateway into the Eastern Province, and the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar, a pedestrian-focused waterfront district. Designers must select one site and develop a sculpture that engages with its surroundings—whether addressing the fast-paced dynamism of a transit corridor or creating moments of interaction along a coastal promenade.

Proposals should be bold, site-specific, and rooted in narrative—drawing on themes such as heritage, national identity, transformation, and dialogue. Environmental responsiveness, material durability, and feasibility are strongly encouraged, as winning projects may be selected for actual construction.

Each submission must include four A2 landscape presentation boards, a cover image, and a written project description. The competition is open to professionals and students alike, working individually or in teams of up to four people. No professional license is required.

Registration is open until July 24, 2025, with final submissions due by August 27, 2025. Winners will be announced on October 1, 2025.

Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge

Design iconic urban sculptures for the prestigious Mujassam Watan competition and compete for 50,000 €

50,000 € PRIZE project COMPETITION
Prize 50,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 24 July 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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