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Creating Community Through Cross-Laminated Timber and Perforated Facades

Authors:
Ricky Nicholas Gagliardi, Michael Yan Chen
Creating Community Through Cross-Laminated Timber and Perforated Facades

Project in-detail

Utilizing cross-laminated timber and perforated brick panels, the design fosters a seamless connection between private and communal spaces, resulting in a forward-thinking residential structure that enhances community engagement in an urban setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes cross-laminated timber for enhanced structural efficiency and sustainability.
02
Incorporates perforated brick panels for improved natural ventilation and light control.
03
Features a dual courtyard design that fosters social interaction and community ties.
04
Integrates urban agriculture elements with communal planter walls for local food production.
05
Employs passive cooling strategies tailored to the arid climate of Dubai.

### Project Overview
Located in Dubai, the Inbetween House was designed as part of the House of the Future competition to address the contemporary living conditions prevalent in urban environments. The project aims to align sustainable architectural practices with the diverse needs of its occupants, creating a community-focused space that harmonizes private and public functionalities.

### Spatial Strategy
At the heart of the design is a dual courtyard concept, which encompasses both private and communal areas, thus strengthening the connections between individual living spaces and community engagement. This approach respects local cultural practices while encouraging interactions among residents. The ground floor features an open layout that facilitates ease of movement between key spaces, complemented by a central courtyard that serves as the focal point. The upper levels are designed for privacy, incorporating strategically placed windows and additional courtyards to ensure natural light permeates while maintaining openness.

### Materiality and Sustainability
The selection of materials for the Inbetween House reflects a commitment to sustainability while ensuring structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) is utilized for its thermal insulation properties and reduced carbon footprint, while recycled concrete blocks are incorporated to minimize waste and utilize local resources. Perforated brick panels enhance airflow and light ingress, contributing to both functionality and visual expression. Recycled aluminum and fiberglass reinforced plastic grates further reinforce the project's sustainability ethos, promoting durability in the harsh climate of Dubai. These material choices collectively exemplify innovative construction practices that align with environmental responsibility.

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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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