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Funicular Design Crafted with Local Brick and Glass to Foster Sustainable Living

Authors:
Ahmed Mohsen Mostafa Ahmed Moharam, Mohammed Emad
Funicular Design Crafted with Local Brick and Glass to Foster Sustainable Living

Project in-detail

With its funicular form and integration of local brick and expansive glass, the design creates a harmonious oasis that prioritizes sustainability and comfort for modern family living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes a funicular design for enhanced structural stability.
02
Incorporates a central courtyard that fosters natural light and ventilation.
03
Features an eco-friendly green roof for thermal management.
04
Employs local brick and glass to create a seamless connection with the environment.
05
Integrates a gray water recycling system to support sustainability.

### Project Overview

The Sustainable Oasis House is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and aims to harmonize contemporary living with sustainable principles while acknowledging the cultural heritage of the region. The design prioritizes functionality and aesthetic appeal through the innovative use of funicular shell structures, which provide an architectural framework that enhances light, airflow, and integration with the natural environment.

### Unique Design Elements

The building's architecture features a funicular shell that offers structural stability while presenting a distinct silhouette that complements the urban context. Traditional Emirati architectural motifs have been incorporated throughout the design, ensuring that the aesthetics resonate with local culture. The central circular courtyard serves a dual purpose as both a light source and communal space, promoting connectivity between the indoor and outdoor environments.

### Materiality and Energy Efficiency

Material selection is critical to both sustainability and aesthetic integrity. The structure employs durable brick for the shell, high-strength concrete for stability, expansive glass for natural illumination and views, and photovoltaic panels for solar energy harnessing. The incorporation of a green roof further enhances thermal management and visual appeal. Energy efficiency strategies include effective solar energy utilization, natural ventilation through strategically placed window openings, and a gray water recycling system that reduces water consumption.

### Spatial Organization

The Sustainable Oasis House is organized into two distinct floors. The ground floor accommodates communal living spaces, including a lounge and kitchen/dining area, alongside a central courtyard that encourages family interaction. Service areas are discretely integrated to maintain the overall aesthetic. On the first floor, four bedrooms—including a master suite—are designed for privacy but interconnected through a bridge that reflects the architectural theme of the funicular shell, facilitating both accessibility and spatial continuity.

### User Experience

The design promotes a serene living environment, emphasizing natural light and internal greenery to enhance well-being. Each space is designed for comfort and functionality, catering to varied family activities—from communal gatherings in the courtyard to quiet moments in private quarters. Integrated green spaces encourage a tranquil atmosphere, while the innovative structural solutions and modern reinterpretation of traditional elements ensure cultural relevance in a contemporary context.

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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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