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Curvilinear Coralstone Living Spaces Enhanced by Natural Light and Community Integration

Authors:
Ying Hong, Hao Zhou, Qingqing Zhou
Curvilinear Coralstone Living Spaces Enhanced by Natural Light and Community Integration

Project in-detail

Curvilinear forms shaped from coralstone and designed for optimal airflow create a communal living environment that balances privacy and social interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Curvilinear design enhances airflow and natural light throughout living spaces.
02
Use of coralstone provides thermal regulation and local relevance.
03
Open atrium design fosters community interaction and connectivity.
04
Arched roofs contribute to passive cooling strategies in arid climates.
05
Integration of metal grating creates dynamic light patterns within interiors.

### Project Overview

This residential design proposal emphasizes a versatile living environment that balances privacy with communal engagement. Located in a climate typically characterized by arid conditions, the project reflects an understanding of local cultural practices and environmental challenges. The architectural intent centers on fostering a multi-functional atmosphere that accommodates the evolving needs of its inhabitants, featuring a prominent façade and thoughtfully organized spatial arrangements.

### Spatial Strategy

At the core of the design, the first floor is configured as a central atrium that integrates dining, living, and entertainment areas, promoting social interaction among residents. The public spaces are intentionally designed to encourage communal activities, while private zones are distinctly separated to ensure individual comfort. The integration of traditional elements, such as a *majlis*, alongside contemporary living spaces highlights a sensitivity to cultural values and social dynamics. The vertical connection throughout the home maintains visual links to the atrium, facilitating fluid movement and interaction across various living areas.

### Materiality and Sustainability

The project employs a distinctive selection of materials focused on sustainability and local relevance. The primary structural framework consists of concrete, ensuring durability, while limestone and coral stone are used for aesthetic appeal and thermal performance. Wood offers warmth within the interiors, and glass panels incorporated in vaulted sections optimize natural light while managing glare. Metal grating on the upper structure introduces a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. These material choices collectively enhance the building’s ecological efficiency, offering passive cooling solutions and reducing energy consumption. Additionally, strategies for natural ventilation are integrated into the design geometry, minimizing reliance on mechanical systems. With considerations such as potential rainwater harvesting incorporated into the roof design, the residence effectively addresses both environmental and functional imperatives.

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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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