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Permeable Cobogó Design Enhancing Natural Ventilation in Family Housing

Author:
Adel Mohamed Wafik Mohamed Mohamed Badrawy
Permeable Cobogó Design Enhancing Natural Ventilation in Family Housing

Project in-detail

Utilizing cobogó blocks for natural ventilation, the design balances cultural heritage and modern functionality, creating a spacious family residence within the challenges of the desert climate.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes cobogó blocks to enhance airflow while providing privacy.
02
Features an open-plan layout to foster family interaction.
03
Incorporates passive cooling techniques to reduce energy consumption.
04
Design reflects traditional Emirati elements adapted for modern needs.
05
Strategically positioned windows capitalize on natural light and views.

### Overview
The project is situated within a contemporary urban context in the Emirates, aiming to blend cultural heritage with modern design principles for familial living. It focuses on creating a residential environment that is adaptable to the needs of a modern family while remaining respectful of traditional Emirati architecture. The objective is to establish a space that prioritizes both aesthetic appeal and functional sustainability.

### Materiality and Environmental Design
The structural design prominently features cobogó blocks, chosen for their dual functionality as both a material for structural support and a means for natural ventilation. These porous elements permit airflow while providing privacy, aligning with the project’s environmental goals. The varied textures employed throughout the façade echo natural forms, promoting a cohesive relationship between the building and its surroundings.

### Spatial Organization
The architectural layout is carefully orchestrated to balance privacy and communal areas, essential for family dynamics. Open-plan configurations in vital zones such as the living and dining areas foster interaction among occupants. The vertical circulation system connects multiple levels, facilitating movement and enhancing family engagement while maintaining individual spaces for retreat. Each designated level serves a specific purpose, from private guest rooms in the lower levels to communal living and kitchen areas, culminating in terraces and additional rooms in the uppermost levels. The design effectively integrates cultural considerations of privacy without traditional barriers through the strategic placement of the cobogó blocks.

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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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Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
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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
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