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Eight-Sided Residence Featuring Low-E Glass and Traditional Mashrabiya Screens

Eight-Sided Residence Featuring Low-E Glass and Traditional Mashrabiya Screens
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The eight-sided footprint harmonizes traditional mashrabiya elements with low-E glass to create a sustainable family residence that balances modern living with cultural heritage in Dubai.
5 key facts about this project
01
Eight-sided footprint optimizes space and enhances airflow.
02
Integration of traditional mashrabiya provides privacy and ventilation.
03
Use of low-E glass minimizes heat gain while maximizing natural light.
04
Rainwater harvesting system supports sustainable water management.
05
Concrete and wooden materials reflect local building traditions and climate adaptability.

**Overview**
Located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, GIRIHouse is a contemporary residence designed for a local family. The structure merges traditional Islamic architectural elements with modern design principles, creating a home that reflects the region's cultural heritage while addressing contemporary living requirements.

**Spatial Organization and User Interaction**
The architectural layout is defined by an innovative octagonal footprint, reducing hallway space and maximizing room utility. A central courtyard serves as the focal point, surrounded by various living spaces that promote both privacy and social interaction. This arrangement facilitates natural air circulation, enhancing the overall comfort of the residence and reinforcing familial connectivity.

**Materiality and Environmental Strategies**
GIRIHouse employs a carefully selected material palette that aligns with sustainable practices. Key materials include concrete beams for structural integrity, wooden perforated panels that allow ventilation and light while ensuring privacy, and triple-glazed low-emissivity glass for energy efficiency. The design incorporates rainwater harvesting systems and solar panels, leveraging local climate conditions to minimize environmental impact and enhance the home's sustainability. Strategic placement of openings in the façade promotes natural ventilation, ensuring comfort even during the intense summer months. The use of mosaic glass and textural diversity in materials contributes to the aesthetic appeal while underscoring the commitment to environmentally conscious design.

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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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Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

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