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Continuous Form Crafted from Sarooj and Palm Wood for Environmental Education

Author:
Ahmad Alkattan
Continuous Form Crafted from Sarooj and Palm Wood for Environmental Education

Project in-detail

Constructed using traditional sarooj and palm wood, the design incorporates a continuous pathway that mirrors the Möbius strip, creating an immersive experience for visitors focused on wildlife observation and environmental education.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with traditional sarooj, incorporating local building practices.
02
Designed around a Möbius strip to create a continuous visitor experience.
03
Features a semi-open courtyard for direct wildlife observation.
04
Utilizes palm wood for key structural elements, enhancing sustainability.
05
Achieves approximately 60% shading to reduce energy consumption.

The Flaringo Visitor Centre is located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It serves as a facility for wildlife observation and environmental education. The design centers around the concept of the Möbius strip, which reflects ideas of continuity and flow. This building aims to connect visitors with nature while providing an informative experience.

Design Concept
The architectural approach relies on geometric principles to create movement within the structure. The Möbius strip influences the layout, offering a circulation path that allows visitors to enter, explore the exhibits, and return to their entry point without barriers. This design enhances exploration and engagement, making the educational aspects of the centre more effective.

Central Courtyard
In the middle of the visitor centre, a semi-open courtyard offers a space for observing wildlife. This area connects visitors directly with the environment, highlighting the balance of local ecosystems. It also functions as an educational platform, where people can learn about the biodiversity found in the Al Wathba Reserve. This reinforces the centre's aim to promote awareness of conservation efforts.

Materiality and Sustainable Practices
Local materials play a significant role in the construction of the Flaringo Visitor Centre. "Sarooj," a traditional building material made from mud and thatch, is used for structural layers. Palm wood serves as an important component in load-bearing elements, practical while maintaining a simple aesthetic. These material choices demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and regional practices.

Environmental Responsiveness
The building's shape and position are carefully planned to enhance shading and lower energy needs. About 60% of the structure stays shaded during peak sunlight, reducing cooling requirements in the warm desert climate. This design consideration not only improves visitor comfort but also aligns with eco-friendly building practices.

The design's fluidity is expressed through pathways and forms that guide visitors. This enhances their connection to the surrounding landscape while providing a clear route through the centre's offerings.

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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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