Get inspired!

17,249 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

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.
The sustainable housing project in Dubai represents a progressive architectural response to the challenges of urbanization in arid environments. Designed to accommodate the growing population, the project emphasizes community living, environmental sustainability, and cultural relevance. The design focuses on delivering functional living spaces while integrating passive cooling strategies and energy-efficient systems, necessary for the region’s climate.

The architecture is conceived as a "street urban textile," which fosters connectivity and interaction among residents. This conceptual foundation guides both the layout of the housing units and the communal areas, promoting a sense of belonging while optimizing resource use. The design efficiently utilizes local materials that reduce environmental impact during construction and throughout the life cycle of the buildings.

Unique Design Approaches

This project employs a series of innovative design approaches that distinguish it from conventional residential developments. One notable feature is the passive cooling system reinforced by the integration of Barjeel, or wind-catchers, which enhance natural ventilation throughout the homes. These elements contribute significantly to lowering energy consumption while maintaining comfortable indoor environments.

The facade treatment incorporates vertical concrete fins and light-colored plaster that serves both aesthetic and pragmatic purposes. This design not only enhances visual appeal but also facilitates shade, reducing glare and heat within the living spaces. The arrangement of private balconies equipped for planting further promotes biodiversity, allowing residents to engage in urban gardening, a nod to both sustainability and cultural practices that resonate with the local context.

Community integration is a core aspect of this design. The layout encourages multi-family housing configurations, ensuring that facilities and communal spaces are readily accessible. These design choices cultivate opportunities for social interaction among residents, aligning living arrangements with lifestyle needs.

Sustainable Materials and Systems

Materials chosen for this project are reflective of local availability and environmental considerations. The use of locally-sourced plaster minimizes transport emissions, while concrete serves structural purposes, providing thermal mass that stabilizes indoor temperatures throughout the day.

Windows use energy-efficient glass, strategically placed to maximize daylight while minimizing heat gain. This approach underscores the project’s intent to create a comfortable living environment that significantly reduces carbon footprints associated with high energy consumption.

Enhancing the architectural framework further, the design incorporates landscaped areas, fostering ecological balance amidst the urban setting. This strategy not only contributes to the aesthetic quality of the neighborhood but also provides residents with valuable green spaces for recreation and leisure.

This sustainable housing project in Dubai combines a thoughtful architectural response to climate challenges with innovative design techniques that prioritize community and environmental stewardship. Interested individuals should explore the detailed architectural plans, sections, designs, and concepts to gain comprehensive insights into the project’s unique features and viability in an urban context.
Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #2
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

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
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,249 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy