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Humidity Water Recovery System Integrated Within A Green Oasis Featuring Self-Insulating Brick and Acacia Wood Elements

Authors:
Audrey Eliane Bernadette Provost, Maxime Vadon
Humidity Water Recovery System Integrated Within A Green Oasis Featuring Self-Insulating Brick and Acacia Wood Elements

Project in-detail

Incorporating a humidity water recovery system and self-insulating brick, this residence uses Acacia wood to create a sustainable living environment that prioritizes energy efficiency and community interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates a humidity water recovery system to address water scarcity.
02
Utilizes self-insulating brick for enhanced thermal performance.
03
Features Acacia wood for structural and aesthetic elements.
04
Includes an oasis garden to promote biodiversity and natural cooling.
05
Design integrates traditional Emirati cultural elements with modern sustainability.

### Overview
Located in Jumeirah, Dubai, the New Emirati Home is an architectural design that emphasizes sustainability while reflecting traditional Emirati aesthetics. The project addresses the contemporary need for eco-conscious residential environments that align with cultural values and social structures inherent to Emirati life. By integrating biophilic design principles, the home seeks to establish a blueprint for future living that resonates with both environmental stewardship and historical practices.

### Spatial Organization
The design incorporates a thoughtful spatial strategy that enhances airflow and natural illumination, reinforcing the connection between interior and exterior spaces. The layout features expansive living and dining areas conducive to family gatherings and social interaction. A central pool serves not only as a cooling element but also promotes reflection and tranquility within the environment. Additionally, an oasis garden enhances the overall biophilic design, improving indoor air quality while providing a rich vegetative landscape.

### Technological and Material Considerations
The construction utilizes a range of sustainable materials that merge traditional and contemporary techniques. Self-insulating bricks, filled with rock wool, significantly improve energy efficiency by reducing reliance on artificial heating and cooling systems. Acacia wood is employed for structural components, linking the design to the natural surroundings. A humidity water recovery system, developed in conjunction with architect David Hertz, exemplifies innovative technology that addresses water scarcity by extracting moisture from the air. Complementary features include strategically placed solar panels for renewable energy and a free cooling mechanism that facilitates natural ventilation.

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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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