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Modular Residential Development with Perforated Screens and Passive Cooling in Dubai

Author:
Nicholas Harald Hartman
Modular Residential Development with Perforated Screens and Passive Cooling in Dubai

Project in-detail

Located in Dubai, ONE explores modular residential design as a strategy for flexible, community-oriented urban living. The project integrates public and private spaces with sustainable systems and material choices, responding to both environmental conditions and social needs.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates locally sourced clay to enhance thermal performance.
02
Features passive cooling through strategically designed perforated screens.
03
Utilizes modular construction for adaptable living spaces.
04
Incorporates rainwater harvesting systems for sustainability.
05
Integrates lush landscaping to promote biodiversity and aesthetic appeal.

ONE is a proposal for a modular residential development in Dubai that responds to the needs of contemporary urban living through a balance of communal and private spaces. The project is designed to foster social interaction while maintaining personal privacy, integrating green spaces and flexible layouts to support long-term adaptability. Its architectural strategy emphasizes efficient spatial organization and environmentally responsible material use, contributing to broader urban sustainability goals.

Modular strategy and spatial flexibility
The design is based on a modular system that accommodates various residential configurations. Modules are organized to enhance spatial flow between indoor and outdoor areas, promoting passive climate control and visual openness. Perforated exterior screens provide solar shading and cross-ventilation, reducing dependence on mechanical systems. Communal areas are embedded within the overall layout to support social engagement, while private spaces maintain spatial separation and comfort.

Material selection and environmental integration
The project uses a material palette of clay, concrete, glass, and steel, selected for their structural efficiency and environmental performance. Rainwater harvesting and passive cooling strategies are integrated to minimize resource consumption. Extensive landscaping further reinforces the connection between built form and site, contributing to thermal regulation and outdoor livability. Façade articulation through layered textures reflects both functional intent and contextual sensitivity.

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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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