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Earth Tone Adobe Structure with Natural Ventilation and Courtyard Integration

Author:
Yegor Artyukh
Earth Tone Adobe Structure with Natural Ventilation and Courtyard Integration

Project in-detail

Utilizing locally sourced adobe and innovative passive ventilation techniques, the structure seamlessly integrates a central courtyard to enhance community interaction while providing functional residential space.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed primarily with locally sourced adobe for enhanced thermal performance.
02
Incorporates custom-designed windcatchers for passive climate control and ventilation.
03
Features a central courtyard that acts as a communal space for residents.
04
Integrates a green roof for improved insulation and rainwater management.
05
Utilizes traditional mashrabiyas to provide privacy while allowing natural light.

### Project Overview

The House of the Past is located in a semi-urban area, aimed at establishing a community-focused architectural presence. Inspired by the interplay of historical and contemporary themes, the design reflects a philosophical inquiry into the connection between past, present, and future. By emphasizing identity and environmental sensitivity, the project engages with its cultural context while also addressing modern societal needs.

### Spatial Organization and User Connectivity

The spatial layout prioritizes both privacy and social interaction, strategically arranging communal and private spaces to enhance movement flow. Central courtyards serve as focal points for outdoor activities, fostering social cohesion. Essential to the design are windcatchers and mashrabiyas, which facilitate natural ventilation and light control, contributing to user comfort and environmental adaptation.

### Material Selection and Sustainability

A deliberate choice of materials underpins the project’s design integrity. Plastered adobe brick forms the primary building envelope, providing thermal efficiency and connecting to local craftsmanship. Polished concrete elements add a modern aesthetic, while light-tone wood furnishings deliver warmth and texture to the interiors. The design includes green roofs for improved insulation and stormwater management, along with natural ventilation techniques that diminish reliance on mechanical systems, reinforcing the commitment to sustainability.

The elevations exhibit a careful balance of solid and void, with operable windows and shaded features that enhance privacy and daylight management. The sectional views detail the structural system, illustrating the integration of sustainable technologies within the overall design.

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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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