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Flexibly Adaptable Spaces With Coral Stone and Natural Wood in a Desert Landscape

Author:
Riya Ann Thomas Thomas Kuzhuvommannil Mathew
Flexibly Adaptable Spaces With Coral Stone and Natural Wood in a Desert Landscape

Project in-detail

Utilizing coral stone and natural wood, the design creates a series of flexible living spaces that harmonize with the desert landscape, catering to modern family dynamics.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes locally sourced coral stone to reflect traditional Emirati building practices.
02
Features brise soleil elements that enhance energy efficiency and reduce heat gain.
03
Incorporates natural wood finishes for interior spaces, creating a warm atmosphere.
04
Designed with flexible layouts to easily adapt to various family activities and uses.
05
Integrates native landscaping to connect the home with its desert environment.

### Project Overview
Located in Al Ain, the House of the Future: Desert Elegance exemplifies a synthesis of traditional Emirati heritage and contemporary architectural design. The project aims to create a residential environment that honors its cultural context while addressing the needs of modern families.

### Spatial Strategy and Layout
The design employs a thoughtful zoning strategy to establish distinct areas within the home: private, semi-private, and service zones. Private areas, including bedrooms, are situated for tranquility, while semi-private spaces facilitate family interactions. Service areas are designed for practicality, ensuring efficient movement throughout the residence. The layout's flexibility allows communal areas to evolve in function, accommodating various activities such as gatherings, work, or relaxation.

### Materiality and Environmental Response
The project incorporates a diverse palette of materials that resonate with its architectural intent. Traditional coral stone references local building methods, juxtaposed with modern elements like lightweight aluminum and natural wood. Brise soleil and glass facades enhance energy efficiency and maximize natural light, while porcelain tiles unify the flooring across spaces. Landscaping integrates local flora, reinforcing the connection between the interior environment and the surrounding desert landscape. These choices not only reinforce the design's identity but also underscore a commitment to sustainability and cultural relevance.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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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