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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

Project in-detail

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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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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