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 Stone Canopy With Natural Insulation and Communal Living Spaces

Author:
Ranya junaid gailan Gailan
Coral Stone Canopy With Natural Insulation and Communal Living Spaces

Project in-detail

Constructed with locally sourced coral stone and integrated natural insulation, the design creates flexible communal living spaces that honor regional heritage while promoting sustainability.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using locally sourced coral stone, the project highlights traditional building techniques.
02
Natural insulation materials enhance energy efficiency while reducing environmental impact.
03
The flexible layout allows communal and private spaces to adapt to changing family needs.
04
Integrated green roofs support biodiversity and provide outdoor living areas.
05
Design elements incorporate natural ventilation to optimize indoor climate and comfort.

## Project Overview

The Coral Tent is situated at the intersection of historical and modern contexts along Dubai Creek, aimed at bridging the cultural heritage of the UAE with principles of sustainable living. The design draws inspiration from traditional Bedouin tent structures, offering a modern interpretation that enhances both community and individual well-being while remaining sensitive to the surrounding environment.

## Design and Materiality

### Spatial Configuration
The house comprises a series of interconnected circular units that facilitate a communal living experience while ensuring privacy. This spatial arrangement promotes natural ventilation and encourages social interaction, with dedicated areas for intimate gatherings and family activities. The design includes four bedrooms, an open living room linked to the garden, and a kitchen seamlessly integrated with dining areas, allowing for efficient movement and engagement among inhabitants.

### Material Selection
The use of local materials is central to the project’s ethos, with coral stone as a primary building material that reflects traditional construction practices. Structural steel contributes to flexibility and stability, while mud earth integrates thermal mass principles into the foundation. The flooring and walls utilize a cement mix combined with natural aggregates, and natural insulation materials such as expanded clay enhance energy efficiency. Additional features include a 100% recycled steel roofing system and incorporated vegetation that improves air quality and aesthetics. The design underscores a commitment to environmental sustainability through the careful selection and application of materials.

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