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Meshrabiya Facades and Elliptical Cores Define a Sustainable Family Home

Authors:
Rowan Sherif, Mohab Maged, Jeroum George, Yara Abbas Elhabiby
Meshrabiya Facades and Elliptical Cores Define a Sustainable Family Home

Project in-detail

Incorporating custom Meshrabiya facades and an innovative elliptical core, this sustainable residence optimizes natural ventilation while fostering communal interaction within its family-oriented spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Custom Meshrabiya facades enhance privacy while facilitating airflow.
02
The elliptical core design maximizes natural ventilation within the residence.
03
Sustainable materials include locally sourced concrete and composite finishes.
04
Rainwater harvesting systems support landscape irrigation and reduce water waste.
05
Flexible interior spaces adapt to various family activities and gatherings.

## House of the Future, United Arab Emirates

### Overview
Situated in the United Arab Emirates, the House of the Future merges traditional and contemporary architectural principles, reflecting the region's cultural heritage while addressing modern sustainability challenges. The design philosophy is grounded in the words of Sheikh Zayed, emphasizing the interconnectedness of past, present, and future, which is expressed through the architectural form and materials used. The project embodies a narrative that honors historical roots while anticipating future living standards aligned with environmental sustainability.

### Spatial Strategy
The architectural layout features a series of elliptical cores and interconnected spaces, fostering dynamic interactions between indoor and outdoor areas. A prominent central staircase not only serves as a functional element but also enhances connectivity throughout the residence. The incorporation of traditional Meshrabiya screens serves both aesthetic and environmental functions, optimizing shading and ventilation, critical for comfort in the UAE's climate. The arrangement creates a harmonious flow and facilitates social interaction, reflecting the communal values inherent in UAE culture.

### Materiality and Sustainability
A diverse palette of materials has been selected to reinforce both sensory experience and ecological responsibility. Durable concrete forms the structural basis, while extensive glass integration facilitates natural lighting and visual continuity with the surrounding landscape. Customized wooden lattices draw on cultural motifs and enhance interior aesthetics, contributing to the home's character. The project's sustainable focus includes features such as solar panels for energy efficiency, advanced cooling strategies leveraging the elliptical core for natural ventilation, and systems for rainwater harvesting, underpinning its commitment to environmental stewardship. Overall, these design choices exemplify a forward-thinking approach in harmonizing heritage with contemporary ecological practices.

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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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