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Polycarbonate Facades and Wind Towers Enhance Sustainable Villa Living in Dubai

Polycarbonate Facades and Wind Towers Enhance Sustainable Villa Living in Dubai
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Polycarbonate facades and traditional wind towers define a contemporary living experience that harmonizes with Dubai's climate while providing sustainable residential spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Polycarbonate facades facilitate natural light while maintaining privacy.
02
Wind towers provide passive cooling, enhancing indoor comfort.
03
Strategic landscaping creates microclimates around outdoor spaces.
04
Flexible layouts adapt to varying family needs and interactions.
05
Rooftop gardens incorporate solar technology for energy efficiency.

### Project Overview
Located in Dubai, this architectural design initiative introduces a villa typology that harmonizes contemporary lifestyle needs with the city's cultural heritage. Positioned near the creek harbour, the site offers expansive views of downtown while being adjacent to traditional residential structures, including mosques. The design emphasizes a relationship with local culture and climate, integrating features that reflect both traditional architectural strategies and modern living.

### Cultural Integration and Spatial Strategy
The design incorporates elements such as wind towers and shaded terraces, which are traditional to the region, thereby fostering a living environment that resonates with local identity. Open layouts throughout the villas facilitate adaptable space usage, accommodating a variety of family configurations and social activities. Central courtyards are integrated to optimize natural light and airflow, enhancing the overall living experience.

### Material Selection and Sustainability
A careful selection of materials underpins the project's sustainability objectives. Key components include polycarbonate, concrete, glass, timber, and steel, which are chosen for their durability and contextual relevance. The façade's design employs polycarbonate to create dynamic transitions between interior and exterior spaces, promoting both transparency and privacy. The use of passive cooling techniques, combined with an innovative roof designed as a solar collector, highlights the commitment to energy efficiency and climate-responsive design. Additionally, the landscaping introduces greenery that not only beautifies the environment but also provides practical shading for outdoor areas, creating comfortable spaces for residents.

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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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100,000€ Prize / 2025
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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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