Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Corten Steel and Adobe Fusion in a Sustainable Urban Habitat

Author:
Laurent AndrÉ Maurice Destouches
Corten Steel and Adobe Fusion in a Sustainable Urban Habitat

Project in-detail

Utilizing corten steel and adobe, this sustainable urban habitat effectively integrates local materials to enhance climate responsiveness while fostering communal living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes locally-sourced adobe to enhance thermal regulation.
02
Incorporates corten steel for durability and minimal maintenance.
03
Features dual facades designed to optimize solar gain and ventilation.
04
Integrates multifunctional walls that serve structural and aesthetic purposes.
05
Emphasizes communal spaces to foster resident interaction and engagement.

The architectural project located in Dubai exemplifies a contemporary response to urban living. Designed with an emphasis on sustainability and community integration, the project serves as a model for future developments in dense urban environments. It focuses on providing functional living spaces while addressing critical environmental concerns and fostering social interaction among residents.

Sustainability lies at the core of the project’s design principles. The architecture employs local materials such as adobe and corten steel, chosen for their ecological benefits and aesthetic qualities. These materials contribute to the building's thermal performance, enhancing energy efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. The design incorporates dual facades that enhance passive climate control by regulating solar heat gain and improving ventilation across the built environment.

Innovative landscape integration sets this project apart from conventional urban developments. Green spaces are not merely aesthetic features; they are carefully incorporated to improve air quality and promote biodiversity. The incorporation of multifunctional elements—such as walls that serve structural, sheltering, and aesthetic purposes—demonstrates a strategic approach to maximizing the utility of each component.

Architectural sections depict a well-thought-out structural arrangement that allows for flexibility in space usage. The open floor plans facilitate natural light penetration throughout the units, enhancing the living experience while reducing reliance on artificial lighting. The foundation incorporates sustainable technologies, enabling resilience against the often harsh climatic conditions found in Dubai.

The project's design prioritizes community-centric living. Shared spaces are strategically placed to encourage interaction among residents, fostering a sense of belonging. The integration of communal areas reflects a response to the social dynamics of urban life, allowing for increased engagement and interaction within the community.

For a comprehensive understanding of the architectural strategies employed in this design, readers are encouraged to explore detailed architectural plans, sections, and designs that provide additional insights into the project's innovative approaches and functionalities. These documents illustrate how the project successfully merges environmental considerations with practical urban living, reinforcing its position as a forward-thinking architectural endeavor.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

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.

`

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

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
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #2
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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