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Mudbrick Integration With Slatted Wood Screens in Sustainable Residential Design

Authors:
Anilja Berisha, Umut Can Kizilray
Mudbrick Integration With Slatted Wood Screens in Sustainable Residential Design

Project in-detail

Emphasizing local climate resilience, the design incorporates mudbrick walls and slatted wood screens to create a sustainable residence that harmonizes with its environmental context.
5 key facts about this project
01
Mudbrick walls provide excellent thermal mass, optimizing temperature regulation in desert climates.
02
Slatted wood screens allow for natural light while ensuring privacy and airflow throughout living spaces.
03
A central courtyard enhances communal interaction and acts as a microclimate for outdoor activities.
04
Rainwater harvesting systems are integrated to promote sustainable water management within the home.
05
The use of regional materials fosters a strong connection to local heritage and environmental context.

**Project Overview**
"Finding Creativity in Culture" is situated in a desert environment, likely reflective of the Middle East, which influences both material selection and design considerations. The intent is to explore local identity and cultural resonance while promoting sustainable architectural practices. The design actively addresses the challenges of maintaining cultural identity amidst global architectural trends, particularly the prevalence of generic glass structures that often overlook local context.

**Spatial Organization and User Experience**
The layout strategically balances communal and private areas, fostering social interaction alongside personal retreat. The ground floor features an open plan that integrates various functional spaces, while the first floor is dedicated to private quarters. The incorporation of terraces and courtyards enhances the connection to natural surroundings, creating inviting and functional outdoor spaces that serve as extensions of the interior environment.

**Materiality and Environmental Integration**
The project utilizes a thoughtfully curated material palette that reflects both historical significance and contemporary context. Key elements include mud bricks, which contribute to sustainability, and wood for slatted screens that enhance visual complexity. Limestone connects the structure to the region’s geological heritage, while glass is strategically placed to allow light penetration without sacrificing privacy. Environmental features such as rainwater harvesting systems and a central courtyard designed to promote natural cooling are integral to the building's sustainable approach, reinforcing its connection to the local climate and resource management practices.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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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