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Perforated Brick Facade Enhancing Passive Cooling in Residential Spaces

Author:
Hirante Jeevani Welandawe
Perforated Brick Facade Enhancing Passive Cooling in Residential Spaces

Project in-detail

The use of a perforated brick facade facilitates passive cooling while integrating recycled materials, resulting in a resilient residential space that harmonizes with the surrounding environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes a perforated brick facade to enhance passive ventilation and reduce solar heat gain.
02
Integrates recycled brick aggregate as a primary building material for environmental sustainability.
03
Incorporates indigenous landscaping to support local biodiversity and ecological balance.
04
Features strategically located courtyards that foster community interaction while ensuring privacy.
05
Employs energy-efficient solar panels for sustainable energy generation tailored to the building's orientation.

## Overview
The Solar Filter project is situated in an arid climate and exemplifies a commitment to sustainable architectural design. Its intent is to effectively integrate natural materials with energy-efficient strategies, establishing a balance between the built environment and its natural surroundings. This multi-faceted approach addresses environmental challenges while reflecting traditional vernacular architecture's response to local contexts.

## Spatial Strategy
A thoughtful spatial organization delineates public and private areas, enhancing both community interaction and individual privacy. The incorporation of courtyards and private gardens is particularly beneficial in catering to cultural sensitivities, fostering a sense of belonging for residents. This layout not only satisfies functional requirements but also creates opportunities for outdoor engagement, encouraging social cohesion.

## Materiality and Energy Efficiency
The predominant construction material is recycled brick aggregate, utilized to construct perforated walls that promote passive ventilation essential for hot climates. Reinforced concrete serves as a structural backbone, ensuring stability while allowing for innovative design features, such as light filtering. Solar panels are integrated into the design to maximize energy capture. The project showcases a notable reduction of 37% in monthly energy consumption, reflecting a balance of aesthetic appeal and environmental responsibility through the dynamic interplay of light and shadow created by the facade.

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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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
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MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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Kinderspace
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