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Passive Cooling Through Traditional Wind Towers and Limestone Facades in Sustainable Residential Design

Authors:
Shweta Krishnan, Bilal Barakat
Passive Cooling Through Traditional Wind Towers and Limestone Facades in Sustainable Residential Design

Project in-detail

Incorporating traditional wind towers and locally sourced limestone, the design achieves effective passive cooling while promoting sustainable living in a modern residential space.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes traditional wind towers for natural ventilation and passive cooling.
02
Incorporates locally sourced limestone to reduce environmental impact.
03
Features modular design elements that allow for future expansion.
04
Employs greywater recycling to support sustainable water management.
05
Integrates perforated screens that reflect cultural motifs while enhancing privacy.

### Overview

The project is situated in a context that draws from the rich architectural heritage of the Middle East, prioritizing self-sufficiency, traditional knowledge systems, and passive design technologies. It aims to create a sustainable living environment by seamlessly integrating ancient architectural techniques with the demands of modern lifestyles, particularly in regions characterized by harsh climates.

### Design Framework and Spatial Strategy

The design framework is articulated through key themes of self-sufficiency and community engagement. By utilizing local resources and traditional building practices, such as wind towers and shaded courtyards, the project minimizes reliance on external utilities and enhances occupant comfort. Passive strategies are central to the design, with a focus on harnessing natural airflow and sunlight to maintain thermal regulation. Notable features, like the wind tower, function to cool incoming air, while modular elements allow for future adaptability, ensuring the design can respond to evolving community needs.

### Materiality and Sustainability

Materials selected for the project reflect both ecological consciousness and cultural resonance. Local limestone reduces carbon footprint and roots the design within its geographic context, while sustainably sourced wood adds warmth to the facades and interiors. The integration of photovoltaic cells on the roof captures solar energy, reinforcing the building’s environmental ethos. Additional sustainable strategies include rainwater harvesting systems and greywater reuse, which facilitate water conservation and promote responsible resource management. The visual language of the project emphasizes a connection to the landscape through the use of patterned screens that provide privacy and control light, contributing to both the aesthetic quality and functional performance of the design.

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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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