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Natural Ventilation and Aluminum Louvers Transforming Sustainable Living in a Contemporary Dubai Home

Authors:
Gabriel Isaac Antunez Romero, Susana Elisa Diaz-granados Molina Ev Antunez Romero
Natural Ventilation and Aluminum Louvers Transforming Sustainable Living in a Contemporary Dubai Home

Project in-detail

Incorporating precast concrete and aluminum louvers for effective natural ventilation, this Dubai residence seamlessly integrates sustainability and cultural heritage to create a functional living space for families.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates aluminum louvers for climate-responsive shading and ventilation.
02
Utilizes precast lightened concrete modules for efficient construction and durability.
03
Features traditional Mashrabiya screens to enhance privacy while allowing airflow.
04
Includes an outdoor patio that extends the living space into nature.
05
Integrates solar panels to promote renewable energy usage on-site.

**Overview and Intent**
Located in Dubai, the House of the Future is designed as a modern residential space specifically catering to the needs of Emirati citizens. This project aims to harmonize immediate living requirements with sustainable practices, cultural heritage, and advanced technologies, reflecting the evolving nature of contemporary life while honoring historical contexts.

**Spatial Strategy and Community Engagement**
The site spans 450 square meters, allowing for a flexible design that integrates green spaces to create a balanced relationship between built and natural environments. The layout promotes connectivity among various volumes, facilitating both privacy and communal interaction. Shared spaces and community areas are intentionally designed to encourage neighborly connections and foster a sense of belonging, which is central to the project's objectives.

**Materiality and Sustainability**
A diverse selection of materials has been employed to enhance aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability. Precast lightened concrete modules ease construction while ensuring durability, and steel deck slabs provide structural integrity with a lightweight profile. Aluminum louvers contribute to shading and airflow, while mosaic tiles assist in thermal regulation. Additionally, natural stone pathways promote local craftsmanship, and double-glazed glass maximizes daylight and thermal insulation. Rooftop solar panels exemplify the commitment to renewable energy, while traditional elements like Mashrabiya screens serve to maintain cultural identity through methods of shading and ventilation.

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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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