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Perforated Solar Shading and Limestone Facades Defining Community Living in the Heart of the Uae

Perforated Solar Shading and Limestone Facades Defining Community Living in the Heart of the Uae
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Incorporating perforated solar shading and durable limestone facades, the design facilitates a harmonious blend of communal living and privacy, tailored for multi-family use in the UAE's unique environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates a central courtyard that enhances communal interaction while ensuring privacy.
02
Utilizes perforated metal panels for solar shading and ventilation, reducing energy consumption.
03
Constructed with limestone, providing both thermal insulation and a connection to local traditions.
04
Features large glass facades that maximize natural light and outdoor views.
05
Designed to reflect the unity of the seven emirates through spatial organization and functionality.

## Project Overview
The 7 Villa is located in the United Arab Emirates and designed as a representation of the unity among the seven emirates. The villa accommodates seven residents, focusing on a balance of privacy and communal living spaces. With its intent to provide a functional environment, the design incorporates shared areas while preserving individual residential needs.

### Spatial Planning and User Interaction
The villa’s layout is organized across three levels, optimizing both public and private spaces. The ground floor features a family living room (43 sqm), an open kitchen and dining area (25.28 sqm), and a traditional majlis (36 sqm) designed for hospitality, complemented by essential service areas. The first floor houses private quarters, including a master suite (52 sqm) with a dressing area, along with three additional bedrooms, ensuring adequate accommodation. The second floor is dedicated to utility, featuring a gym (17.5 sqm) and a laundry area (13.36 sqm), supporting modern residential needs.

### Material and Climate Response
The selection of materials reflects both the cultural context and environmental considerations of the UAE. Limestone serves as the exterior facade, echoing traditional architecture while providing thermal benefits against heat. Large glass panels enhance natural light and views of the surrounding gardens. Concrete blockwork contributes to thermal insulation, essential in a desert climate, while perforated metal panels offer shading and visual depth. Additional elements, such as white profiles, help regulate ambient light, enhancing indoor comfort. The villa's design takes into account sun paths to minimize solar gain through strategic overhangs, reinforcing a sustainable approach to energy efficiency.

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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.

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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
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Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

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