Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Integrating Mascarena Screens and Precast Concrete in a Sustainable Urban Dwelling

Author:
James Lachlan Mcgregor
Integrating Mascarena Screens and Precast Concrete in a Sustainable Urban Dwelling

Project in-detail

Utilizing Mascarena screens and precast concrete, the dwelling reinterprets urban living through flexible spaces and communal areas designed to foster sustainable community interactions.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes Mascarena screens for enhanced shading and ventilation.
02
Incorporates precast concrete for rapid construction and structural integrity.
03
Features flexible living units adaptable to varying family sizes.
04
Includes extensive greenery integrated within communal spaces.
05
Employs cork flooring for acoustic and thermal insulation benefits.

### Project Overview

Located in Dubai, the "Paradigm" project addresses the challenges of urban living amid rapid population growth and diverse cultural contexts. Its design reinterprets the traditional house, focusing on adaptability to contemporary societal needs and the integration of sustainable practices. The goal is to create a living environment that fosters community, embraces environmental responsibility, and reflects cultural identity.

### Spatial Strategy

The layout emphasizes flexibility and connection, incorporating a variety of unit configurations to accommodate different family structures. Community-oriented spaces, including gardens and gathering areas, enhance social interaction among residents, contrasting with isolating features often found in traditional urban settings. Courtyards are strategically placed to facilitate airflow and provide thermal relief, ensuring comfort and enhancing the overall quality of life within the development.

### Materiality and Sustainability

The material selection aligns with the project's ecological aspirations and aesthetic goals. Mascarena screens serve a dual purpose as shading devices and visual features, improving thermal performance. Precast concrete provides structural integrity and adaptability, while cork flooring contributes to acoustic comfort and thermal insulation. Timber cladding introduces warmth to the facade, and stone flooring connects the building to the local landscape. Renewable energy integration, through the use of solar panels, further exemplifies the project's commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency, adhering to Passivhaus principles and promoting a harmonious balance with the surrounding environment.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

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

`
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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy