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Limestone and Coconut Fiber Reshape a Sustainable Family Habitat in Dubai

Author:
Louis Valentin Rabe
Limestone and Coconut Fiber Reshape a Sustainable Family Habitat in Dubai

Project in-detail

Utilizing locally sourced limestone and innovative coconut fiber insulation, the design creates a sustainable family residence that emphasizes community connection and environmental harmony in Dubai.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes recycled steel framing for structural integrity and sustainability.
02
Integrates locally sourced limestone for thermal mass and aesthetic appeal.
03
Incorporates coconut fiber as an eco-friendly insulation material.
04
Features a unique dual access design for enhanced privacy and convenience.
05
Establishes a central courtyard to promote community interaction and biophilic design.

**Overview**
Located in Dubai, this project seeks to create a customizable and sustainable living environment that prioritizes communal interaction while respecting local traditions and ecological principles. With a focus on family life, the design integrates innovative solutions that emphasize adaptability and user engagement in both indoor and outdoor settings.

**Spatial Strategy**
The layout is notably organized around a vertical arrangement that distinctly separates private and communal areas. Bedrooms are positioned on the upper floor to ensure privacy, while the ground level accommodates shared spaces such as the kitchen and living areas. This arrangement balances intimacy with opportunities for family gatherings. The entrance features dual access points for guests and domestic staff, facilitating efficient circulation within the home. The use of mirrored glass enhances natural light penetration while maintaining occupants' privacy, creating a sense of openness.

**Materiality and Sustainability**
The material choices reflect a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental integration. Recycled steel serves as the primary structural framework, promoting durability and recyclability. Limestone plates sourced from the Hajar Mountains lend both traditional elegance and modern eco-consciousness, while locally-sourced clay helps regulate interior climates, supporting an environmentally friendly approach. Coconut fiber insulation contributes to energy conservation and lifecycle sustainability. Additionally, biophilic elements, such as a courtyard garden filled with palm trees, enhance the microclimate, providing a cooling effect and promoting biodiversity within the urban context. Solar panels and hydropanels further reinforce the home's self-sustainable capabilities by harnessing solar energy and capturing atmospheric moisture for drinking water.

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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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