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Curvilinear Facade Composed of Glass Blocks and Sand Bricks in a Sustainable Desert Home

Authors:
Gediminas Tunaitis, Dalija Tiškuvienė, Martynas Lukša, Anna Don
Curvilinear Facade Composed of Glass Blocks and Sand Bricks in a Sustainable Desert Home

Project in-detail

A dynamic curved facade crafted from glass blocks and sand bricks complements the sustainable design of this desert residence, providing an optimal balance of natural light and ventilation while creating inviting living spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Curved facade design enhances wind flow and sunlight penetration.
02
Sand bricks incorporate local materials for environmental integration.
03
Glass blocks provide insulation while maintaining transparency.
04
Outdoor terraces extend living spaces, promoting connection to nature.
05
Passive cooling features reduce reliance on mechanical ventilation.

## Project Overview

Located in a desert environment, the Sand Villa explores a modern architectural approach that integrates design with its unique natural surroundings. The project focuses on creating functional and comfortable living spaces while respecting the distinct characteristics of the local landscape. The design incorporates a rectangular volume as its foundation, emphasizing a layered spatial arrangement that includes designated zones for entry, leisure, and communal activities.

## Architectural Form

**Dynamic Facade:** The villa features a curvilinear facade that balances aesthetic appeal with practical considerations such as shading and wind direction. This cascading form enhances the building’s three-dimensional quality, encouraging visual engagement from various vantage points.

**Spatial Organization:** The layout promotes a blend of privacy and interaction, with a clear segregation between private and communal areas. Living spaces are strategically placed to optimize natural light and views, ensuring a smooth transition between indoor and outdoor environments.

## Materiality and Sustainability

The chosen material palette reflects both the environmental context and contemporary design principles. Glass blocks are prominently featured in the facade, allowing for transparency and interaction with the surroundings. Reinforced concrete provides durability, while sand incorporated within the glass bricks resonates with the local geography. Natural stone and terracotta finishes honor traditional materials, and wood elements are introduced for warmth in the interior spaces.

### Sustainable Features

The design emphasizes passive cooling techniques, incorporating windcatchers and operable windows to enhance ventilation and reduce reliance on mechanical systems. Additionally, rooftop solar energy installations contribute to the villa's sustainability, aligning with an environmentally conscious approach to modern living.

## Spatial Arrangements

**Ground Floor (77.95 m²):** This level includes versatile spaces such as a garage and an open entryway leading directly to outdoor areas, including a pool.

**First Floor (82.23 m²):** The layout comprises living and dining areas, along with a dedicated children's area. Balconies serve to foster outdoor connection while maintaining sightlines to the downstairs pool area.

**Second Floor (139.18 m²):** Designed for tranquility, the upper level features bedrooms with serene views and sufficient storage, many of which access outdoor terraces.

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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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