Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Coral Cladding and Palm Fiber-Cement Panels Shape Sustainable Family Living In The Desert Landscapes

Authors:
Feifei Feng, Hanqin Tang, Qingdong Hu, Zhiyan Xu
Coral Cladding and Palm Fiber-Cement Panels Shape Sustainable Family Living In The Desert Landscapes

Project in-detail

Emphasizing the use of coral cladding and palm fiber-cement panels, the design promotes sustainability while effectively addressing climate challenges, resulting in a cohesive family living environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Employed palm fiber-cement panels for enhanced thermal performance and local material sustainability.
02
Integrated passive cooling strategies utilizing dispersed gardens and wind shafts throughout the layout.
03
Incorporated a centralized majlis to maintain traditional cultural significance within a modern living space.
04
Utilized coral stone cladding to provide natural insulation and integrate with the surrounding landscape.
05
Designed flexible floor plans to accommodate evolving family dynamics and future expansions.

### Overview
Located in Dubai, the Urban Oasis project addresses the unique climatic and cultural context of the UAE by offering a modern residential solution that emphasizes privacy, sustainability, and contemporary aesthetics. The design integrates local traditions with foresight into future living needs, creating a responsive environment that caters to both familial intimacy and social interaction.

### Spatial Configuration and User Experience
The spatial strategy focuses on the concept of "Homescape," which balances private and communal areas within the residential layout. The architecture features a combination of dispersed voids, gardens, and wind-shaft terraces that facilitate airflow and enhance indoor comfort. This organization fosters an interactive relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing residents to engage with their environment meaningfully.

Key to the user experience is the inclusion of multifunctional spaces, such as terraces and balconies that can adapt over time. Central to the design is the majlis, a traditional gathering area that reinforces cultural significance and encourages social gatherings. The integration of water features further enhances these communal spaces, establishing a tranquil atmosphere that invites interaction.

### Materiality and Sustainability
The project employs a variety of materials that merge traditional textures with modern durability. The façade is composed of pre-fabricated palm fiber-cement panels and coral stone cladding, which collectively contribute to the aesthetic coherence of the community. The use of sandwiched insulation and Low-E high-performance recessed windows enhances thermal performance, addressing the challenges posed by the local climate while maximizing natural light.

Sustainability is integral to the design approach, encompassing both material choices and environmental strategies. Dispersed gardens promote urban greening and support biodiversity, while shading devices and privacy screens enhance airflow and provide shelter from intense sunlight. Additionally, roof gardens contribute to passive cooling strategies, reducing dependency on artificial climate control systems and promoting a sustainable lifestyle for future residents.

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