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Natural Ventilation Through Clay Jail Blocks and Desert-Inspired Courtyards in a Sustainable Residential Design

Authors:
Amiel Joshua Fegarido Lu, Dennis Freo, Rendel Natiola, Seancer Madrilejos
Natural Ventilation Through Clay Jail Blocks and Desert-Inspired Courtyards in a Sustainable Residential Design

Project in-detail

Utilizing clay jail blocks for enhanced natural ventilation and incorporating desert courtyards, the design creates a sustainable residential environment that balances cultural heritage with modern living needs.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes traditional clay jail blocks for natural ventilation and shading.
02
Incorporates desert courtyards to enhance outdoor living and biodiversity.
03
Features a flexible floor plan promoting both community and privacy.
04
Employs low-emission glass to optimize energy performance.
05
Integrates solar hydro panel technology for water harvesting.

**Project Overview**

Oasis House is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, designed with the dual intent of integrating traditional Middle Eastern architectural elements and modern sustainability practices. The design responds specifically to the challenges posed by the desert environment, creating an energy-efficient living space that prioritizes comfort and ecological awareness. Through the combination of luxurious accommodations and resource-conscious features, it serves as a reference point for future residential construction in arid climates.

**Cultural and Spatial Integration**

The architectural approach of Oasis House incorporates traditional Arabic aesthetics, evident in features such as the Majlis rooms, which utilize arabesque motifs that foster social interaction. The façades integrate perforated clay jail blocks, serving both as passive shading solutions and means to promote natural ventilation. The spatial layout emphasizes openness, with family living areas designed for communal interaction and transition zones that blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor environments. The configuration encourages connectivity and community engagement, essential components of social living in this context.

**Sustainability and Materiality**

Sustainability is a cornerstone of the design, featuring elements such as wind towers that harness natural ventilation, thereby reducing reliance on mechanical air conditioning. Additionally, solar hydro panel technology is employed for water collection, reflecting a commitment to resource conservation. The selection of materials further underscores this sustainable focus; reinforced thermal blocks provide insulation, while low-emission glass panels optimize energy performance. Local sourcing of materials, such as clay jail blocks, reinforces the project's environmental ethos and responsiveness to its geographical context. The surrounding landscape incorporates desert-adapted vegetation, ensuring minimal water use and promoting local biodiversity.

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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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