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Local Stone and Anodized Bronze Form Community-Centric Courtyard Living in Dubai

Authors:
Tsampikos Petras, Emmanouil Nikolaos Symiakakis, Georgios Panagiotopoulos, Athina Charalampopoulou
Local Stone and Anodized Bronze Form Community-Centric Courtyard Living in Dubai

Project in-detail

Anodized bronze accents and local stone walls define a sustainable residential solution that prioritizes communal living and integrates nature through a central courtyard.
5 key facts about this project
01
Anodized bronze elements enhance durability while providing a modern aesthetic.
02
Local stone walls integrate with the environment, reflecting regional architecture.
03
Wind towers facilitate natural ventilation, minimizing energy consumption.
04
First-story detachments create outdoor spaces that promote community interaction.
05
Central courtyard design optimizes light and airflow in shared living areas.

### Project Overview
Located in Dubai, the design integrates contemporary architecture within the context of the city's historical and cultural framework. The intention is to create a sustainable living environment that acknowledges the region's rich heritage while accommodating modern architectural innovations.

### Spatial Strategy
The layout emphasizes a central axis that separates communal areas from private spaces, promoting community engagement and personal privacy. Key shared spaces, such as the living room, dining area, and kitchen, are situated around an enclosed courtyard that enhances natural light and ventilation. The upper levels are distinct from the ground floor, accommodating first-story gardens that contribute to local biodiversity.

### Materiality and Sustainability
The design incorporates a range of local and sustainable materials. Local stone forms the foundational walls, providing thermal mass for cooling, while a white clay finish enhances the aesthetic and offers passive cooling benefits. Concrete is employed in structural elements like the wind towers, which facilitate natural ventilation, thereby reducing energy consumption. Additionally, anodized aluminum bronze is used for exterior cladding, combining functional and aesthetic qualities. A hybrid energy management system, including rainwater cisterns and photovoltaic panels, underscores the commitment to environmental sustainability while promoting energy efficiency in the building's operational practices.

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

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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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