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Natural Adobe And Sustainable Shading Systems Enhancing Urban Living

Authors:
Martin Augusto Crespi, Pia Fattor
Natural Adobe And Sustainable Shading Systems Enhancing Urban Living

Project in-detail

Utilizing locally-sourced adobe for superior thermal efficiency and incorporating green roofs alongside innovative shading systems, the design creates a sustainable living environment tailored for modern urban families.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes locally-sourced adobe for enhanced thermal performance.
02
Features integrated green roofs that improve air quality and reduce heat.
03
Includes modular design allowing for flexible future adaptations.
04
Incorporates innovative shading systems to minimize solar gain.
05
Designed to foster community interaction with shared outdoor spaces.

## Project Overview
The Home of the Future, located in Dubai, aims to redefine residential design through sustainable and adaptable living solutions tailored to address the region's challenging climatic conditions, characterized by extreme temperatures and limited precipitation. This initiative views residential architecture as an integral part of the urban environment, focusing on enhancing community resilience and promoting environmental stewardship.

### Sustainability and Urban Integration
Sustainability is central to the design ethos, with a strong emphasis on minimizing the carbon footprint through the use of responsibly sourced materials and innovative building strategies. The project utilizes locally-sourced materials such as mud and adobe, which offer effective thermal insulation, thereby supporting energy efficiency. Moreover, large glass openings are incorporated to maximize natural light, while strategic shading elements contribute to thermal comfort and the creation of pleasant microclimates. The architecture prioritizes community interaction, designed not as an isolated entity but as a space that enriches public areas and fosters social engagement.

### Adaptive and Modular Design
The modular layout of the Home of the Future permits flexible configurations to accommodate varying family sizes and lifestyle changes. This adaptability is complemented by an open floor plan that promotes fluid movement and social interaction, while maintaining privacy in essential areas. Indoor and outdoor green spaces are thoughtfully integrated to enhance the home’s aesthetic appeal while providing functional benefits, such as improved air quality and cooling effects. The inclusion of renewable energy systems, wastewater treatment, and rainwater recycling mechanisms further reinforces the home’s commitment to resource efficiency and environmental responsibility.

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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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