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Limestone Facades and Traditional Jaali Screens Enhance Sustainable Living in Contemporary Emirati Design

Authors:
Muddassir Ahmed, Nawazish Ansari
Limestone Facades and Traditional Jaali Screens Enhance Sustainable Living in Contemporary Emirati Design

Project in-detail

Incorporating limestone facades and intricate jaali screens, this residence enhances solar efficiency and natural cooling while providing a seamless blend of communal and private spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Limestone facades provide thermal mass, enhancing energy efficiency.
02
Jaali screens facilitate natural ventilation while maintaining privacy.
03
The layout incorporates extensive courtyards to promote outdoor living.
04
Water features are strategically placed for aesthetic appeal and cooling.
05
Integrated solar panels support energy needs without compromising design.

### Overview
The selected residential designs located in the United Arab Emirates purposefully engage with the region's cultural and climatic context. Each structure merges traditional and contemporary architectural elements, aiming to deliver both aesthetic appeal and functional necessity that aligns with the lifestyle of Emirati residents.

### Spatial Organization
The design of "The Pearl" features a multi-zoned layout, which includes a public Green Zone encompassing the Men's Majlis and office spaces, a service-focused Orange Zone for utilities, a communal Blue Zone centered around a courtyard for natural light and ventilation, a Yellow Zone that houses the kitchen and main staircase, and a Purple Zone dedicated to private living quarters. In "Bridging Eras in Dubai," traditional elements like arches and barjeel coexist within a layout designed to enhance airflow and thermal regulation. "Duneside Patio" emphasizes an indoor-outdoor integration with strategic landscaping for privacy, while "Blueprints of Innovation" implements innovative cooling strategies and natural ventilation pathways to improve livability and energy efficiency.

### Material Selection
Material choices across the projects underscore a preference for locally-sourced and sustainable options. "The Pearl" anticipates the use of limestone for its thermal properties and aesthetic continuity with the region’s architectural heritage, along with coral stone blocks and glass for natural illumination. "Bridging Eras in Dubai" similarly utilizes limestone and modern materials like reinforced concrete, aluminium, and glass. For "Duneside Patio," expected materials include glass and steel for transparency and natural stone flooring that connects indoor areas to the surroundings. "Blueprints of Innovation" focuses on insulated block walls for energy efficiency and incorporates solar panels as part of a commitment to renewable energy.

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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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