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Hanging Beds and Acrylic Views in Sustainable Desert Lodges

Authors:
Danahe Ziehl, Alaide Arón, Janette Ramirez
Hanging Beds and Acrylic Views in Sustainable Desert Lodges

Project in-detail

Inspired by the form of the Oryx's horns, the lodges incorporate hanging beds and intelligent acrylic to provide guests with panoramic views and comfort in a sustainable desert hospitality setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Inspired by Oryx horns, the design creates an ascending spiral effect in the common hub.
02
Each lodge features a hanging bed to enhance stargazing experiences.
03
Passive ventilation systems cool the lodges without energy consumption.
04
The project integrates a desalination plant for sustainable water management.
05
Modular furniture allows for adaptable living spaces within the lodges.

Tiera is an eco-lodge project located in the deserts of Abu Dhabi, designed to honor the return of the Arabian Oryx to its native habitat after a 40-year absence. This effort emphasizes sustainability and environmental harmony while providing unique accommodations that connect guests with the natural landscape. The design incorporates a thoughtful distribution of lodges to maximize views of significant features while minimizing disruption to local wildlife.

Lodge Design

The project consists of various types of accommodations that serve different purposes. The standard lodge has three main areas: an access and terrace space, a bedroom, and a washing room. The access area features a wall that varies in height, offering shade and allowing for unobstructed views of the desert. Inside the bedroom, an open floor plan enables a connection with the outdoors while privacy is maintained through curtains. A particularly interesting feature is the hanging bed, which allows guests to enjoy stargazing at night.

Sustainability Features

Sustainability is a vital focus of Tiera’s design, evident in the integration of passive ventilation systems, dry composting toilets, and solar energy systems in each unit. These elements help reduce the ecological impact of the lodges while ensuring comfort for guests. Water management is also important, with a desalination water plant providing a reliable supply of water for the lodges and their landscaping.

Common Hub

The common hub serves as a central gathering space designed to promote interaction among guests. The design is inspired by the shape of the Oryx’s horns, creating a visual effect that draws the eye upward. This hub exceeds 200 square meters and includes a lobby, cafeteria, lounge area, terrace, restrooms, and a storage room for staff. It facilitates connectivity between the lodges and communal areas, enhancing the overall experience.

Material Choices

The materials used in Tiera reflect a commitment to ecological sensitivity and aesthetic connection with the surroundings. Wood is used as the primary structural material, providing warmth and reducing environmental impact. Intelligent acrylic is also included, which offers practical benefits by allowing for thermal comfort and views of the expansive landscape.

The design achieves a strong relationship between architecture and nature, where each lodge serves as a retreat while encouraging guests to engage with the beauty of the Abu Dhabi desert.

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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
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