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Passive Cooling Design With Limestone Facade and Green Roof Integration

Author:
Nicollas Coutinho Jeronymo
Passive Cooling Design With Limestone Facade and Green Roof Integration

Project in-detail

Employing a limestone façade and a green roof for effective passive cooling, this residential structure in Dubai elegantly marries sustainability with modern living in a thoughtfully designed family home.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes a locally sourced limestone façade to enhance thermal performance.
02
Incorporates a green roof for improved insulation and biodiversity.
03
Features operable solar shadings for adjustable light control throughout the day.
04
Employs passive cooling strategies through a strategically designed wind catcher.
05
Integrates retractable walls for flexible use of living spaces.

### Project Overview
Located in Dubai, the design known as "The Jewellery Box" incorporates modern architectural aesthetics with a functional living environment. The project prioritizes sustainability through the use of organic materials sourced from the surrounding region, enhancing its contextual relevance. Conceptualized around the metaphor of a jewelry box, the residence is intended to encapsulate and showcase valued personal belongings, reflecting a lifestyle that balances elegance with simplicity.

### Materiality and Structural Strategy
The design integrates locally sourced materials to mitigate ecological impact while referencing Dubai's architectural heritage. Limestone is chosen for its durability and aesthetic appeal, while cement and wood contribute to both structural integrity and warmth. Glass is utilized strategically to provide expansive views and maximize natural light, thus reducing reliance on artificial illumination. The structural framework features a steel grid system that allows for future expansions, ensuring adaptability in response to changing family needs.

### Sustainability and User Experience
Sustainability is a core principle of the project, exemplified by the installation of solar panels, which lower energy costs and minimize environmental impact. A wind catcher aids in passive ventilation, while operable solar shaders empower residents to control light and thermal comfort. The inclusion of a green roof enhances temperature regulation and fosters biodiversity, while an ergonomically designed interior promotes connectivity among public and private spaces. Notable features include smart home technology, which facilitates functional adaptability, exemplified by retractable walls in the kitchen area. The design promotes an indoor-outdoor lifestyle, seamlessly merging living spaces with the surrounding greenery.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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