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Passive Cooling Design with Limestone Facade and Green Roof Integration

Passive Cooling Design with Limestone Facade and Green Roof Integration
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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 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
100,000€ Prize / 2026

The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

`
Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

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Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

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