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Passive Cooling Through Wind Catchers And Jali Screens In Sustainable Home Design

Authors:
Md Mahmudul Islam, Md. Tanimul Islam Redoy, Md. Mostafizur Rahaman, Faizus Shaleheen Zawad, Ashab Shams
Passive Cooling Through Wind Catchers And Jali Screens In Sustainable Home Design

Project in-detail

Employing traditional wind catchers and intricate jali screens, the residence enhances passive cooling while fostering community interaction through a thoughtfully designed central courtyard.
5 key facts about this project
01
Wind catchers are integrated to naturally ventilate the interior spaces, reducing energy consumption.
02
The facade features custom concrete jali screens that provide both light filtration and privacy.
03
A central courtyard serves as a communal space, enhancing social interaction among residents.
04
Natural stone and plaster are used for interior finishes, connecting the residence to its local context.
05
A green roof design minimizes heat absorption while supporting local flora and promoting biodiversity.

### Project Overview

Emirati Eco-Nest is a residential architecture project designed to address the challenges of living in a desert climate while incorporating sustainable features. Located in a region characterized by high temperatures, the project integrates traditional building concepts with modern materials and technological advancements. The design intent focuses on creating an environmentally responsive home that enhances natural cooling and maintains cultural significance in terms of privacy and community interaction.

### Spatial Organization and Environmental Strategy

The layout incorporates an introverted courtyard, serving as a central gathering space that fosters community while maintaining privacy. This configuration promotes an intimate atmosphere and encourages social interactions. A wind catcher has been strategically integrated to funnel cool air into the living spaces, thereby reducing reliance on mechanical cooling systems. The facade features a concrete block jali screen, designed for light transmission while preserving privacy, creating dynamic patterns of light and shadow throughout the interior.

### Material Selection and Sustainability

Material choices emphasize sustainability, durability, and local availability. The concrete block jali serves a dual purpose of facilitating air circulation and adding visual depth to the façade. Installation of solar panels enhances energy efficiency, promoting self-sufficiency in power consumption. The inclusion of a green roof not only mitigates heat island effects but also supports local biodiversity by integrating native plant species. Natural stone and plaster have been selected for interior finishes, ensuring a tactile connection to the environment while enhancing aesthetic appeal.

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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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