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Natural Cooling and Greywater Systems in a Sustainable U-Shaped Residence Constructed with Reclaimed Materials

Natural Cooling and Greywater Systems in a Sustainable U-Shaped Residence Constructed with Reclaimed Materials
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Constructed with reclaimed materials and enhanced by natural cooling systems, this U-shaped residence integrates sustainable practices to create a functional and harmonious family living environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using cross-laminated timber panels for enhanced sustainability and structural integrity.
02
Features charred wooden shingles for improved durability and aesthetic depth.
03
Incorporates a greywater reuse system, promoting water conservation in the arid climate.
04
Utilizes a bent A-frame design to optimize natural ventilation and light distribution.
05
The U-shaped layout creates a central courtyard, enhancing social interaction within the residence.

### Project Overview

Located in Dubai, the House of the Future embodies contemporary residential architecture tailored for modern family living. The design features a U-shaped configuration that centralizes an open courtyard with a pool, promoting interaction between indoor and outdoor spaces. This layout ensures that the dwelling accommodates the dynamic needs of its inhabitants while maintaining a focus on sustainability and flexibility.

### Spatial Configuration

The U-shaped design creates a courtyard that serves as a central hub, integrating living, dining, and kitchen areas while ensuring privacy in the sleeping quarters. This spatial organization facilitates both social interaction and individual retreat. Key design elements include:

- **Defined Zones:** The thoughtful separation of private and public areas allows for adaptable use without compromising the fluidity of movement.
- **Social Spaces:** Outdoor seating and a prominent swimming pool act as focal points, encouraging family gatherings and outdoor activities.
- **Light Optimization:** Generous glass facades and skylights are incorporated to enhance natural light penetration, reducing dependence on artificial lighting.

### Material Palette and Sustainability Features

The project's material selection underscores a commitment to sustainability and regional relevance. Key materials include:

- **Concrete:** Functions as the primary structural element, with applications in flooring and walls.
- **Wood:** Added to ceiling areas, providing a natural contrast and warmth.
- **Glass:** Extensively used in facades for transparency and connection to the landscape.
- **Stone:** Integration of local stone materials reflects the architectural heritage of the region.
- **Steel:** Utilized in construction for strength and precision.

Innovative design strategies further enhance sustainability, such as:

- **Modular Construction:** This approach increases efficiency and minimizes waste during the building process.
- **Passive Cooling Systems:** Features like ventilated facades and earth air tunnels work to optimize indoor temperatures without relying heavily on mechanical cooling.
- **Green Elements:** Roof gardens and green walls utilize native plants, fostering biodiversity within the urban environment.
- **Water Management:** A greywater reuse system supports responsible water conservation, particularly significant in the desert climate.

Focusing on sustainable practices, the design incorporates natural cooling strategies and eco-friendly materials, aiming to minimize the ecological footprint while providing a healthy indoor environment.

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Enter an open architecture
competition now

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
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

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

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge

AIA (American Institute of Architects) invites you to design affordable housing in Denver

Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 18 September 2025

Recurring architecture competitions

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Final registration deadline 18 September 2025
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Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #7 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 September 2025
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
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Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

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Design a safe and supportive space to those struggling with a terminal illness

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Advance registration deadline 9 October 2025
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Early bird registration deadline 15 October 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 16 October 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025
The Last 
Nuclear Bomb Memorial

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

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Final registration deadline 13 November 2025
Concrete 
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