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Courtyard Home Featuring Sustainable Stone and Glass Elements with Traditional Mashrabiya Screens

Courtyard Home Featuring Sustainable Stone and Glass Elements with Traditional Mashrabiya Screens
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Incorporating traditional mashrabiya screens and a central courtyard, the residence utilizes sustainable stone and glass to create a harmonious living environment that prioritizes natural ventilation and flexibility for family gatherings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates a central courtyard designed to enhance natural cooling and light penetration.
02
Utilizes traditional mashrabiya screens to balance privacy and ventilation.
03
Features flexible, movable walls that adapt to social needs and gatherings.
04
Constructed with locally sourced stone and glass to minimize environmental impact.
05
Integrates passive cooling techniques, reducing reliance on mechanical systems.

## Overview
Located in the United Arab Emirates, the residential project "The Oasis of Life" integrates cultural heritage with contemporary living requirements. The design aims to reconnect inhabitants with their roots while addressing modern challenges, emphasizing flexibility, privacy, and communal interaction within a desert context. The project's architectural response seeks to create a sanctuary that promotes safety, sustenance, and tranquility amidst the surrounding environment.

## Spatial Organization and Environmental Adaptability
The spatial strategy features a clear zoning of public and private areas, with dedicated spaces for social gatherings, such as a Majlis and a central courtyard, alongside private quarters for family members. This organization respects cultural norms and allows for diverse social dynamics through movable walls, enabling spaces to expand or contract as needed. The courtyard serves a critical function by acting as a microclimate creator, facilitating natural ventilation and cooling, which is essential in the region's climate. Windcatchers and adaptable architectural elements further enhance indoor comfort while minimizing reliance on mechanical cooling systems.

## Materiality and Aesthetic Integration
The material selection prioritizes both functionality and tradition. Concrete provides structural durability and thermal mass, while glass elements allow natural light while managing airflow. Wood is employed for movable partitions, adding warmth and versatility to the interiors, and stone enhances the sensory experience in outdoor spaces. The exterior design features a blend of traditional motifs, such as mashrabiya screens, alongside modern forms. This combination creates a visually appealing facade that balances protection and transparency, fostering curiosity while maintaining privacy. The project exemplifies a respectful integration of cultural identity within a modern architectural framework.

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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.

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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

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