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Crescent-Shaped Residence Featuring Photovoltaic Panels and Sustainable Prefabricated Steel Elements

Crescent-Shaped Residence Featuring Photovoltaic Panels and Sustainable Prefabricated Steel Elements
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The crescent-shaped structure integrates prefabricated steel and photovoltaic panels, optimizing energy efficiency while providing a modern residential environment designed for family living in the heart of Dubai.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crescent shape optimizes solar exposure and natural airflow.
02
Integration of a rotational mechanism enhances energy efficiency.
03
Construction utilizes prefabricated steel for rapid assembly.
04
Rainwater harvesting system supports sustainable water management.
05
Large glass facades create seamless connections with the landscape.

## Location and Design Intent

The Moon House is situated in Dubai, an environment characterized by unique climatic challenges and urban dynamics. This residential design integrates contemporary architectural principles with sustainability and cultural significance. The project's framework emphasizes energy efficiency, material innovation, and spatial organization, making it relevant to both its geographical context and broader discussions on sustainable living.

## Form and Cultural Context

### Architectural Expression

The structure is defined by a crescent shape, which serves both aesthetic and functional roles. This form optimizes solar absorption and natural ventilation, essential in a hot climate. The curvature fosters an organic connection with the surrounding vegetation and urban skyline, creating a cohesive visual narrative within its context.

### Cultural Significance

The crescent motif is deeply embedded in Arab culture, symbolizing renewal and fertility. This connection enhances the design's significance, integrating cultural narratives into the residential experience.

## Material Selection and Sustainability

### Key Materials

The construction employs prefabricated steel components, facilitating rapid assembly and disassembly. White photovoltaic panels adorn the roof, capturing solar energy and supporting the project's sustainability goals. The incorporation of glass and wood in the facades fosters an indoor-outdoor relationship while allowing natural light to permeate the living spaces, enhancing thermal comfort with wooden finishes that add warmth.

### Sustainable Strategies

The residence features a rotational mechanism, enabling it to adjust its orientation to maximize solar energy utilization throughout the day. A lithium-ion battery system efficiently stores energy, contributing to a self-sufficient power supply. Rainwater harvesting systems are integrated for irrigation and cooling purposes, aimed at minimizing the building's ecological impact. Additionally, passive ventilation strategies are employed to optimize airflow, further enhancing occupant comfort while reducing cooling energy demands.

## Spatial Configuration and User Experience

### Interior Layout

The internal organization prioritizes functionality and intimacy, with central communal spaces designed to facilitate interactions among residents. Distinct zoning for private sleeping quarters ensures individual privacy while maintaining overall community cohesion. The ground floor plan encompasses approximately 283.15 m², efficiently allocating areas for living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, and utility spaces.

### Connectivity and Natural Light

Large windows and an open layout enhance spatial continuity and natural lighting, providing panoramic views of both the lush landscape and Dubai’s urban environment. This design approach fosters an atmosphere of openness and integration with the external surroundings, contributing significantly to the overall user experience.

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Enter an open architecture
competition now

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MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
100,000€ Prize / 2026

The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

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