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Passive Cooling with Barjeel and Vertical Fins in Sustainable Community Housing

Author:
Amir Ramadan
Passive Cooling with Barjeel and Vertical Fins in Sustainable Community Housing

Project in-detail

Incorporating Barjeel for passive cooling and vertical fins for shading, the design creates a sustainable community housing solution that balances environmental efficiency with modern living requirements.
5 key facts about this project
01
Designed with Barjeel for passive cooling, optimizing airflow without mechanical systems.
02
Vertical fins provide essential shading while adding to the aesthetic structure.
03
Green balconies encourage urban gardening, enhancing biodiversity within the community.
04
Locally sourced plaster reduces environmental impact during construction and maintenance.
05
Modular layouts allow for flexible living arrangements, catering to diverse family structures.

### Project Overview

The sustainable housing project in Dubai aims to address the increasing demand for environmentally responsible residential solutions in a city marked by rapid urbanization and population growth. This initiative focuses on creating a cohesive community within the urban fabric by integrating architectural design with sustainability, cultural relevance, and functionality. Emphasizing a system-based approach, the design facilitates resource sharing among residences, enhancing efficiency while maintaining aesthetic integrity.

### Community Integration and Spatial Strategy

Central to the project's vision is the concept of interconnectedness among housing units, structured to foster community interaction and enhance living conditions. The arrangement of homes operates as a "street urban textile," reminiscent of musical motifs that promote social cohesion. The design allows for shared services, which not only conserves energy but also counters urban sprawl, contributing to a more sustainable urban landscape.

The layout provides distinct private and communal spaces, ensuring each unit is adaptable to varying family needs while retaining functionality. The ground floor incorporates family-oriented areas to encourage interaction, while upper levels provide private quarters, balancing public and private life.

### Material Selection and Environmental Strategies

The choice of materials underscores the commitment to sustainability and cultural resonance. Locally sourced plaster minimizes transportation emissions and enhances thermal performance. Concrete is leveraged in structural components for its ability to stabilize temperatures, while strategically placed glass windows facilitate natural light while reducing glare through protective shading.

Environmental strategies are integral, with passive design principles that utilize thermal mass and shading to mitigate energy use in Dubai's hot climate. The incorporation of a Barjeel, or wind-catcher, serves to enhance natural ventilation and reduce dependence on mechanical cooling systems.

### Special Features

Distinctive aspects of the design include rhythmic facades that draw inspiration from traditional Emirati architecture, ensuring cultural relevance while embracing modern building practices. Private balconies designed for gardening reflect both local lifestyle preferences and a commitment to greening urban environments. The housing units collectively form a cohesive urban fabric, emphasizing shared sustainability goals and adaptability to climatic challenges. This project serves as a model for future developments, combining cultural heritage with innovative solutions for sustainable living.

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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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