Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Private Courtyards and Solar Panels in Desert Lodges

Authors:
Omar Bin eid, Raafat Abu hamra, Shadi Chaar, Imad Kayyali
Private Courtyards and Solar Panels in Desert Lodges

Project in-detail

Set in the desert, the design incorporates private courtyards and solar panels to create a sustainable retreat offering diverse lodging options for guests.
5 key facts about this project
01
Common Hub serves as a central gathering point, encouraging social interaction among guests.
02
Each lodge features a private courtyard, enhancing guest privacy and connection to nature.
03
Solar panels provide sustainable energy, reducing the ecological footprint of the lodges.
04
The design blends with the desert landscape through carefully chosen exterior finishes.
05
Parking and drop-off areas are thoughtfully designed to maintain site aesthetics and accessibility.

The Mega Dunes Ecolodges in Abu Dhabi is a thoughtful design that addresses the challenges posed by the surrounding desert. It aims to provide a sustainable retreat that fits well into its natural environment. The project emphasizes functionality, community, and a deep respect for the ecology of the area, making it a relevant example of contemporary hospitality design.

Common Hub
At the center of the development is the Common Hub, covering 489.00 square meters. Designed as a gathering space, it serves as a social focal point for both visitors and residents. This hub supports communal activities and enhances interaction among guests. Surrounding the hub are various lodging options that cater to different preferences and needs.

Lodging Options
The project includes 10 VIP Lodges and 15 Standard Lodges, each designed with consideration for comfort and functionality. Each VIP Lodge offers 79.00 square meters of space, providing generous accommodations and amenities. In contrast, the Standard Lodges, measuring 49.00 square meters each, offer a more basic yet comfortable experience. This variety enhances the appeal to a wider range of guests, from those seeking luxury to those looking for simplicity.

Sustainable Energy and Infrastructure
Sustainability is a core aspect of the design. Solar panels are incorporated to meet the project's energy needs, reducing reliance on traditional energy sources. Infrastructure support comes from MEP service blocks that ensure efficient operation. A lake is also part of the design, offering recreational opportunities while promoting biodiversity. This combination aims to balance human activity with the natural ecosystem.

Environmental Integration
Attention to the environment is evident in the overall design. The external façade and surface treatments are selected to blend with the desert backdrop. Inside, wooden elements are used to create a warm and welcoming feel. Each lodge features a private courtyard, allowing guests to connect with their surroundings. External lighting is indirect, which helps to minimize light pollution, thereby preserving the natural darkness of the desert night.

The layout facilitates accessibility with parking for 62 vehicles and a designated drop-off area. This consideration ensures ease of access while maintaining the natural beauty of the site. Every detail contributes to the goal of providing a pleasing experience, inviting guests to engage with the unique landscape that surrounds them.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

`
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
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
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
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy