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Natural Ventilation and Palm Wood Integration in Sustainable Family Housing

Author:
Huu Phuoc Tran
Natural Ventilation and Palm Wood Integration in Sustainable Family Housing

Project in-detail

Utilizing palm wood for structural elements and incorporating natural ventilation systems, this sustainable family housing project embodies a harmonious blend of traditional materials and modern functionality.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes palm wood for structural elements, enhancing cultural significance in design.
02
Incorporates extensive natural ventilation strategies tailored for the desert climate.
03
Features a central communal core design, promoting family interaction and connectivity.
04
Employs green roofs to mitigate heat and foster biodiversity within the residential area.
05
Allows for future adaptability through a modular layout, catering to changing family needs.

**Overview**

Located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the Palm House project represents a contemporary architectural response to the region's climatic challenges while honoring its cultural heritage. This design integrates traditional Emirati elements with modern sustainable practices, reflecting a commitment to enhance human habitation in alignment with environmental conditions and community values. The project seeks to create a living environment that embodies the significance of the date palm tree, a symbol deeply embedded in Emirati culture.

**Spatial Configuration**

The Palm House employs a multi-angled spatial arrangement that carefully balances communal living and individual privacy. Central to the layout is a multifunctional core that facilitates social interactions, surrounded by peripheral areas catering to private needs. The design distinguishes between primary family spaces and auxiliary areas, enabling flexibility for various activities from communal gatherings to personal retreats. This approach fosters a versatile living experience, conducive to a family's dynamic lifestyle while minimizing environmental impact.

**Materiality and Sustainability**

A thoughtful selection of materials underscores the Palm House’s commitment to sustainable design. By incorporating traditional mud and palm wood alongside modern concrete, lightweight blocks, and glass, the project creates a structure that is both culturally relevant and energy efficient. Features such as natural ventilation systems and green roof spaces enhance comfort and functionality, enabling effective temperature management in the desert climate. Additionally, the adaptive layout allows for future expansions, ensuring long-term sustainability as family needs evolve. This integration of materials and design principles promotes the creation of a sustainable microenvironment that resonates with local identity.

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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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