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Natural Stone Facades and Palm Wood Elements Foster Sustainable Living in Desert Community

Author:
Ismail Utkan Yonter
Natural Stone Facades and Palm Wood Elements Foster Sustainable Living in Desert Community

Project in-detail

Natural stone facades and palm wood accents define a residential community designed for sustainable living in the arid landscape of Riyadh.
5 key facts about this project
01
Natural stone facades enhance thermal performance while blending seamlessly with the desert landscape.
02
Palm wood features throughout the interiors, promoting a connection to local materials and craftsmanship.
03
Interconnected villa clusters prioritize community interaction while maintaining individual privacy.
04
The design incorporates courtyards that utilize natural ventilation for improved indoor air quality.
05
Sustainable construction methods minimize environmental impact and utilize regional resources effectively.

### Project Overview

Located on the outskirts of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this architectural development aims to meet the integrated living needs of families while drawing on the rich traditions of Arab architecture. The project seeks to provide a contemporary living environment that emphasizes sustainability, privacy, and community, effectively blending modern design with cultural heritage.

### Spatial Organization and Community Focus

The design employs clustered courtyards and interconnected villa clusters, mirroring the traditional urban fabric of the region. This approach fosters community interaction while ensuring private spaces for residents. Each villa is strategically positioned around shared areas that encourage social engagement, presenting a harmonious balance between communal and individual living experiences.

### Material Selection and Sustainability

The project makes thoughtful use of materials that are both locally sourced and sustainable. Local stone is utilized for structural support and aesthetic continuity within the desert landscape, while palm wood serves various interior finishes to enhance warmth and connection to place. Natural fabrics create a comfortable indoor environment, and glass is employed to maximize natural light and blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. The choice of materials reflects a commitment to local craftsmanship and environmentally friendly practices, aligning with the overarching goal of sustainability in the design.

Key features include the strategic orientation of structures to mitigate environmental impact and the incorporation of traditional architectural elements, such as stylized arches, that resonate culturally and enhance the sense of identity within the space.

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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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