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Natural Fibers and Unbaked Bricks Create a Cohesive Family Residence in an Urban Context

Author:
Soham De
Natural Fibers and Unbaked Bricks Create a Cohesive Family Residence in an Urban Context

Project in-detail

Employing unbaked bricks and natural palm fibers, the design establishes a sustainable urban residence that balances family privacy with communal living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes unbaked bricks for enhanced thermal efficiency.
02
Incorporates palm midribs as structural elements.
03
Features a central courtyard designed for natural ventilation.
04
Implements flexible spaces to adapt to changing family needs.
05
Integrates solar panels and water harvesting systems on the roof.

### Overview

The Bayt project, set in Dubai, integrates contemporary living with cultural values drawn from traditional Emirati architecture. Its design aims to create a residential environment that serves both individual needs and fosters community interaction. The architectural approach emphasizes ecological sensibility and adaptability, reflecting a commitment to sustainable practices while enhancing the quality of life for its residents.

### Spatial Organization and Adaptability

The layout comprises two floors designed to delineate public and private zones. The ground floor facilitates family and service interactions, featuring dedicated guest entries that maintain privacy while allowing accessibility to shared areas such as an outdoor guest space, a formal dining area, and a courtyard garden that connects residents with nature. The first floor primarily centers on family privacy, accommodating bedrooms and flexible spaces intended for future expansion, thereby adapting to the evolving dynamics of family structures.

### Materiality and Sustainability

Bayt employs a selection of locally sourced and renewable materials that contribute to both structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. Unbaked bricks offer thermal benefits, while palm midribs and light-colored finishes enhance the building's environmental performance by reducing heat absorption. The use of glass and lattice screens not only enables natural ventilation but also creates engaging light patterns within the interior space. The design incorporates sustainable systems, including solar panels on the roof and rainwater harvesting, which collectively achieve significant reductions in energy and water consumption, enhancing overall resource efficiency.

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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

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
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