Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Native Plant Landscaping and Thermal Adobe Bricks in a Community-Focused Residential Design

Authors:
Miles Edward Scott, Andrei Smolik
Native Plant Landscaping and Thermal Adobe Bricks in a Community-Focused Residential Design

Project in-detail

Thermal adobe bricks and perforated screens harmonize with native plant landscaping to create a sustainable residential environment that emphasizes community interaction and adaptive family living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Thermal adobe bricks provide effective insulation, reducing energy consumption.
02
Perforated screens allow natural light while maintaining privacy and air flow.
03
Native landscaping supports local biodiversity, enhancing ecological health.
04
Modular living spaces adapt to evolving family needs and lifestyles.
05
A communal Majlis encourages social interaction and cultural engagement.

### Overview
Located in Dubai, the PARA-HOUSE project aims to provide an economically viable and sustainable residential solution that responds to the city's unique climatic conditions and cultural context. The design emphasizes community living and privacy, integrating modern architectural principles with traditional influences. The layout supports social interaction through communal areas, such as the Majlis, while also respecting individual family spaces.

### Spatial Configuration and User Interaction
The building's arrangement optimizes both private and communal experiences, catering to contemporary lifestyles while honoring cultural traditions. This dynamic spatial strategy promotes flexibility, allowing residents to engage in shared activities while also having access to private spaces as needed.

### Materiality and Sustainability
A focus on sustainable material selection underpins the design, incorporating adobe brick for thermal mass and historical resonance. Triple glazed glass enhances thermal insulation while maintaining transparency, and perforated screens offer privacy without compromising natural light. Solar panels are integrated into the roofing system, underscoring a commitment to renewable energy and reducing environmental impact. Native plant species in the surrounding landscaping contribute to local biodiversity and provide essential shade, further enhancing the living environment.

The building spans a total area of 299 m² across two floors, with an additional 215 m² allocated for gardens. Functionally, the design includes diverse spaces, such as bedrooms, a kitchen, living areas, and multi-functional gardens, thereby catering to various residential needs and fostering community engagement.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

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

`
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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy