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Marble and Natural Stone Villa Featuring Passive Cooling Strategies and Energy Efficiency

Authors:
Tetyana Oliynyk, Iryna Yaremchuk, Viktoriia Mykhailova
Marble and Natural Stone Villa Featuring Passive Cooling Strategies and Energy Efficiency

Project in-detail

Combining marble and natural stone with innovative passive cooling techniques, the villa achieves energy efficiency while providing a spacious, functional living environment that enhances community interactions.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes locally sourced marble and natural stone to enhance aesthetic harmony with the environment.
02
Incorporates large, double-glazed windows for optimal natural light and thermal efficiency.
03
Features dedicated landscaped areas designed for multifunctional outdoor activities.
04
Integrates solar panels to reduce energy consumption and promote sustainability.
05
Employs innovative passive cooling techniques tailored to the regional climate conditions.

### Overview

The "Balance" villa is located in the Persian Gulf region and is designed as a response to the challenges of quality, cost, and speed in construction. The intent is to create a residential space that harmonizes with the natural environment while offering modern amenities. The project prioritizes sustainability and community interaction, facilitating a balanced coexistence between built and natural spaces.

### Spatial Strategy

The villa features a thoughtfully crafted layout divided into five distinct zones: a welcoming front entrance, a Majlis for guest gatherings that ensures privacy, a service block for operational needs, a residential block with private living areas designed for optimal natural lighting, and multifunctional outdoor spaces promoting leisure activities. This strategic zoning maximizes functionality while allowing for personal and communal interaction among residents, thereby reinforcing a sense of community within a private setting.

### Materiality and Sustainability

The selection of materials plays a crucial role in the villa’s design. A combination of high-quality marble, natural stone, wood, and advanced 3D-printed elements emphasizes a connection to the environment. The exterior features an earthy color palette and large floor-to-ceiling windows that enhance natural light flow, creating a dialogue between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Sustainability is a core consideration, with strategies such as energy-efficient systems integrating solar panels, high-performance glazing, and passive ventilation addressing the local climate's challenges. Water conservation is achieved through low-flow fixtures and rainwater harvesting systems, showcasing a commitment to responsible resource use while reinforcing the villa's ecological presence within the community.

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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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