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Natural Stone and Lattice Screen Structure for Community Living

Authors:
Pranav Vinay Nasta Vinay Kishin Chand Nasta, Akash Devanandan Ramankutty Devanandan
Natural Stone and Lattice Screen Structure for Community Living

Project in-detail

Incorporating a distinctive lattice screen and utilizing natural stone, the design creates a flexible living environment that fosters community interaction for multigenerational households.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates a unique lattice screen that enhances natural ventilation and privacy.
02
Utilizes locally sourced natural stone to integrate with the surrounding landscape.
03
Features adaptable living spaces that accommodate changing family structures.
04
Employs passive design strategies to maximize energy efficiency throughout the year.
05
Integrates cultural motifs into the modern aesthetic to preserve local heritage.

### Project Overview

Located in Dubai, UAE, the Mahalli home design focuses on creating a residential space that addresses the diverse needs of multigenerational families while promoting social cohesion and cultural identity. The project is grounded in a community-centered philosophy, aiming to create environments that not only adapt to the needs of their inhabitants but also foster interaction among residents. The design seeks to balance modern housing solutions with the preservation of familial ties, ultimately contributing to environmental harmony.

#### Spatial Strategy

The layout emphasizes a "Community First" philosophy, organizing shared spaces to encourage social interactions among residents. A central pedestrian spine connects various homes along a designated pathway, providing safe passage for pedestrians and facilitating communal engagement through integrated gathering spaces designed for children and families. This strategic arrangement enhances the sense of community while offering flexibility to accommodate evolving family structures, allowing for both private and shared experiences within the residential unit.

#### Materiality and Sustainability

The material palette has been carefully selected to enhance the project’s sustainability and responsiveness to the local climate. The use of concrete as the primary structural element ensures durability and local compatibility, while pre-cast concrete panels facilitate efficient construction. Lightweight concrete blocks for internal partitions allow for future modifications, promoting adaptability in design. Natural stone elements are incorporated to strengthen the connection to the surrounding landscape. By prioritizing locally sourced materials, the project reduces transportation emissions and supports local economies, aligning with sustainable architectural practices.

Natural light is maximized through well-placed windows and thoughtfully designed open spaces, contributing to the overall thermal comfort and efficiency of the structure. The thoughtful orientation of the building shields living areas from excessive heat and harnesses natural breezes for ventilation, promoting a comfortable indoor environment.

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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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