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Natural Stone and Adobe Blend in Traditional Qatari Residential Design

Authors:
Alberto IbaÑez Puertolas, Maria Eugenia Bahon Fauro
Natural Stone and Adobe Blend in Traditional Qatari Residential Design

Project in-detail

Combining natural stone and adobe creates a culturally resonant structure that embraces traditional Qatari architectural elements while providing a functional home centered around communal outdoor living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes locally sourced adobe and natural stone for enhanced sustainability.
02
Incorporates traditional Qatari architectural elements such as arched windows and domed roofs.
03
Features a central patio designed to promote outdoor communal living.
04
Includes rainwater harvesting systems integrated into the landscape design.
05
Prioritizes thermal comfort through a high-performance building envelope.

# Architectural Design Project Report: A House, A Patio, and A Palm Tree

## Overview
Located in a context sensitive to traditional Arab and Qatari architecture, this design project presents a contemporary residential solution that reflects cultural heritage while addressing modern living needs. By integrating a house, a patio, and a palm tree, the design aims to provide a balanced environment that prioritizes communal interaction and privacy, thereby fostering a sense of community grounded in local values.

## Spatial Organization
The house is meticulously planned to delineate public, private, and service zones, enhancing overall functionality. The public areas, including living and dining spaces, are strategically oriented to connect seamlessly with the patio, encouraging socialization. In contrast, private spaces such as bedrooms are positioned for optimal tranquility, ensuring residents can retreat from communal areas. Additionally, service zones are efficiently integrated, providing necessary access without compromising the aesthetic integrity of the public and private zones.

## Materiality and Environmental Design
The project utilizes locally sourced materials to create a connection with the surrounding landscape while honoring cultural traditions. Adobe, known for its insulating properties, forms the primary structure, complemented by natural stone flooring that introduces organic texture. Large expanses of glass facilitate natural light while preserving views to the outdoors.

The design incorporates passive strategies to optimize environmental performance. A high-performance building envelope minimizes heat absorption, contributing to thermal comfort, while vegetated roofs promote both aesthetics and natural cooling. Furthermore, innovative water management systems are featured to enhance resource efficiency and sustainability, with rainwater harvesting designed into the architecture. Arches and domed roofs, inspired by traditional forms, not only serve as architectural elements but also improve airflow and reduce solar gain, illustrating a thoughtful approach to climatic adaptation.

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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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