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Metal Mesh Facades and Bamboo Flooring Create Sustainable Family Living in the UAE

Authors:
Wilfredo Escobar Maizo, Darly Andreina Leon
Metal Mesh Facades and Bamboo Flooring Create Sustainable Family Living in the UAE

Project in-detail

Metal mesh facades and bamboo flooring define a sustainable approach to family living in the UAE, integrating traditional design elements with modern functionalities for enhanced community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Metal mesh facades enhance ventilation and privacy while integrating traditional patterns.
02
Bamboo flooring promotes sustainability and improves indoor air quality.
03
Triple-glazed windows optimize insulation against extreme temperatures.
04
Rainwater collection systems support irrigation and reduce water usage.
05
Open-plan layouts facilitate family interaction and adaptability for future needs.

## Overview
The Family Village, located in the UAE, presents an architectural design dedicated to integrating sustainability with modern living. The project aims to create energy-efficient homes that cater to the needs of Emirati families while honoring the region's cultural heritage. The design balances traditional elements with contemporary requirements to enhance the overall living experience.

## Spatial Organization
The layout is meticulously crafted to optimize space for family dynamics. Communal areas on the first floor include a centrally located living room that functions as a social hub, an adjacent dining area that facilitates interaction, and a flexible extra room suitable for various uses. The second floor is designed with privacy in mind, placing bedrooms strategically to maintain a connection with the communal spaces below. Additionally, future adaptability has been incorporated into the design, allowing residents to modify their living environments as needs change.

## Sustainable Practices
Sustainability is a foundational aspect of the design. High-performance features include solar panels for renewable energy, a rainwater collection system for irrigation, and wind towers that enhance natural ventilation, reducing reliance on mechanical cooling systems. The use of eco-friendly materials enhances energy efficiency and promotes a healthier indoor environment, while systems are designed to minimize carbon emissions and optimize resource use. These integrated features collectively contribute to the project's commitment to environmental stewardship and community cohesion.

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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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