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Moucharabieh Facade with Flamingo Poles in a Communal Garden Setting

Author:
Céline Nedelcoux
Moucharabieh Facade with Flamingo Poles in a Communal Garden Setting
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The integration of moucharabieh panels and flamingo poles creates a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, enhancing the communal garden experience while promoting ventilation and minimizing heat gain in a shared space.
5 key facts about this project
01
Moucharabieh panels provide ventilation while controlling sunlight entry.
02
Flamingo poles offer minimal visual impact and structural support.
03
The orientation maximizes passive cooling for the interior.
04
Indigenous flora enhances ecological value in the courtyard garden.
05
Multiple floating belvederes create a dynamic user experience.

The ARISH TOWER is a unique addition to its environment, designed to serve as a communal space while engaging users with its distinctive form. Positioned in a region characterized by a warm, dry climate, the tower integrates functions that promote interaction and connection with nature. The overall design concept captures the essence of exploration through its arrangement of spaces and elements.

Design Concepts

The concept of multiple floating belvederes shapes the structure, with several slabs creating a layered effect. This arrangement encourages movement and exploration, allowing visitors to engage with the tower from varied viewpoints. Lightweight flamingo poles support the stairs and slabs, providing structural stability without overwhelming the design's visual appeal. This delicate balance enhances the overall experience.

Facade and Materiality

The facade features moucharabieh panels, which play an important role in managing light and air within the building. The careful arrangement of these panels helps control sunlight entry, allowing for ventilation while preventing excessive heat. The panels reflect traditional craftsmanship, connecting the structure to local culture while integrating modern design principles, creating a meaningful dialogue between past and present.

Sustainability and Climate Response

Orientation was a crucial factor in the design process, addressing the specific challenges posed by the hot, dry climate. This attention to detail aids in maximizing passive cooling and limiting heat gain. In addition, solar energy systems installed within the flamingo poles supply power for electrical outlets and lighting, showcasing a commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Courtyard Garden

The inclusion of a courtyard garden enhances the relationship between interior and exterior spaces. This garden serves as a tranquil area for visitors to relax and interact with nature. The sowed boardwalk, adorned with native plant species, not only beautifies the project but also educates visitors about local flora, enriching the overall experience.

Light filters through the moucharabieh panels, creating a dance of shadows and patterns that change throughout the day, inviting users to pause and appreciate the environment around them.

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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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