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Modular Home Design Featuring Lightweight Concrete and Natural Stone for Sustainable Living

Author:
Moamen Ahmed Abdelrazek Abdelgawad
Modular Home Design Featuring Lightweight Concrete and Natural Stone for Sustainable Living

Project in-detail

Constructed with modular components and utilizing foam concrete alongside locally sourced Hatta rocks, the design creates adaptable living spaces that prioritize energy efficiency within a modern residential setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes locally sourced Hatta rocks for enhanced thermal performance and aesthetic value.
02
Incorporates modular components for flexible spatial configuration and easy future expansion.
03
Integrates passive cooling strategies through strategically placed windows and open-lattice screens.
04
Features a central courtyard that promotes natural ventilation and community interaction.
05
Constructed with lightweight foam concrete to reduce structural load and improve energy efficiency.

## Overview
The project is located in Dubai and addresses the region’s contemporary housing requirements while responding to its unique climatic challenges. It emphasizes sustainability and the potential for modular expansion, aiming to redefine conventional residential architecture. The integration of traditional materials with advanced technologies supports energy efficiency and the adaptability of living spaces.

### Modularity and Adaptability
A key aspect of the design is its modular structure, which facilitates ease of assembly, disassembly, and expansion. This feature enhances the building's operational efficiency and longevity while accommodating evolving family dynamics and lifestyle changes. The architectural arrangement fosters both communal interaction and individual privacy through open spaces, balanced by a centrally located courtyard that provides a private retreat.

### Material Selection and Sustainability
The choice of materials is fundamental, prioritizing both structural integrity and sustainability. The building employs a steel frame for flexibility, lightweight white foam concrete for thermal insulation, and locally sourced granulated Hatta rocks to enhance its aesthetic connectivity to the region. The inclusion of glass panels maximizes natural light and offers expansive views, while open-lattice and foldable glass panels contribute to airflow and spatial adaptability. Sustainable design elements such as passive cooling techniques and strategically positioned windows aim to minimize energy consumption, reducing reliance on mechanical systems.

The interior layout promotes a functional yet intimate atmosphere, with the ground floor accommodating communal areas and essential amenities, while upper levels are designated for private family spaces. This thoughtful organization maximizes usability while maintaining a welcoming environment that resonates with the local architectural context.

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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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