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Passive Cooling Through Modern Wind Towers with Sustainable Foamed Aluminum and Mgo Concrete

Authors:
Minhwi Kim, Junbo Lee
Passive Cooling Through Modern Wind Towers with Sustainable Foamed Aluminum and Mgo Concrete

Project in-detail

Incorporating a modern wind tower for passive cooling, the design utilizes foamed aluminum and MgO concrete to create a sustainable residence that addresses the environmental challenges of a desert climate.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates a contemporary wind tower for enhanced passive cooling.
02
Utilizes foamed aluminum for lightweight, energy-efficient insulation.
03
Features MgO concrete, a low-carbon alternative to traditional building materials.
04
Integrates outdoor courtyards to promote natural ventilation and social interaction.
05
Design respects traditional Emirati architectural elements while focusing on modern sustainability.

**Overview**
Located in the United Arab Emirates, the Twind Tower House integrates traditional Emirati architectural principles with contemporary sustainability practices. The design addresses the challenge of the desert climate by emphasizing innovative ventilation systems and the use of sustainable materials, aiming to create a functional and culturally relevant living space.

**Cultural and Sustainable Integration**
The architecture incorporates a traditional wind tower, historically significant for its passive cooling capabilities. This element is adapted for modern use, incorporating advanced materials while maintaining the essence of Emirati architectural heritage. The facade features a harmonious blend of brickwork and glass, allowing natural light to permeate the interior while offering visual connectivity to the surrounding environment. The use of sand blocks for structural integrity, foamed aluminum for insulation, and low-carbon MgO concrete reflects a commitment to sustainability.

**Spatial Allocation and Climatic Responsiveness**
Internally, the layout efficiently addresses both communal and private needs. The ground floor facilitates social interaction with centrally located living and dining areas, while a designated second floor provides privacy with bedrooms arranged around an open stairwell. The design introduces a natural ventilation system that employs water catchment on the rooftop to cool incoming air and leverages convection to optimize airflow throughout the space. This thoughtful organization not only enhances user experience but also prioritizes energy efficiency, positioning the dwelling as a model for future residential projects in similar environments.

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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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