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Curved Roof Structure Featuring Lightweight Insulating Panels and Solar Integration in Desert Living

Authors:
François Parenteau, Annie Charest
Curved Roof Structure Featuring Lightweight Insulating Panels and Solar Integration in Desert Living

Project in-detail

A curved roof design incorporates lightweight insulating panels and photovoltaic cells, creating an energy-efficient living environment centered around a communal courtyard in an arid landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Curved roof design enhances natural ventilation and solar shading.
02
Integrated photovoltaic cells optimize energy efficiency for residential use.
03
Internal courtyard fosters community interaction while maintaining privacy.
04
Use of lightweight insulating panels reduces overall structural weight.
05
Design incorporates outdoor gardens for local food production and sustainability.

The "House of the Future" is an architectural design project centered on optimizing sustainability and social integration within a residential framework. Located in a hot arid region, the project's design emphasizes energy efficiency and environmental responsiveness, embodying a commitment to modern living conditions while respecting traditional cultural values.

This project features a layout that promotes functionality and communal interaction, with a central internal courtyard serving as the nucleus for social activities. The careful arrangement of living spaces facilitates both private and public engagement while ensuring residents have access to natural light and ventilation.

Sustainability as a Core Principle

One of the defining aspects of this project is its approach to sustainability through material selection and energy efficiency. Materials such as lightweight insulating panels and aluminum are employed for structural integrity and thermal regulation. Photovoltaic cells integrated into the roofing system underscore the project's commitment to harnessing renewable energy. The innovative use of glass allows for ample daylight, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the interior while maintaining a thermal barrier to the outside environment.

Moreover, the design incorporates strategically positioned ventilation systems that optimize air circulation. This helps regulate indoor temperatures, which is critical in arid climates. The project's layout also supports the addition of gardens for vegetable cultivation, enhancing food sustainability and promoting a self-sufficient lifestyle.

Innovative Spatial Configuration

The spatial organization distinguishes this project from other residential designs. The three distinct volumes serve essential functions—living areas, bedrooms, and utility spaces—while maintaining visual coherence. This configuration allows for ease of movement and access within the home, promoting a sense of community. The internal courtyard not only facilitates social interaction but also doubles as an eco-friendly drainage system, demonstrating a holistic approach to landscape integration.

Architectural features such as the curved roof design contribute to both aesthetic qualities and functional benefits, providing shade and reducing the heat load while enhancing the overall architectural expression. The careful balance between public spaces, like living rooms, and private areas, like bedrooms, showcases a nuanced understanding of residential dynamics, promoting both interaction and privacy.

The "House of the Future" serves as a model for future residential projects, illustrating how architecture can effectively respond to environmental challenges and cultural needs. For further insights into the project's detailed architectural plans, sections, and designs, consider exploring the full presentation. This analysis serves as a foundation for understanding the architectural ideas embedded within the project and encourages readers to delve deeper into its various elements.

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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.

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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

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