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Rammed Earth And Bamboo Canopy Enhancing Wetland Interaction

Authors:
Joseph Anaya, Ryan Rufer
Rammed Earth And Bamboo Canopy Enhancing Wetland Interaction

Project in-detail

Rammed earth walls and a bamboo canopy create a harmonious blend with the natural wetland, offering visitors an engaging space for education and birdwatching.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth walls provide natural thermal regulation.
02
Bamboo canopy enhances structural design while promoting sustainability.
03
Self-guided trails offer interactive exploration of the wetlands.
04
A bird hide facilitates discreet wildlife observation.
05
Earth tubes support passive heating and cooling strategies.

The Abu Dhabi Flamingo Visitor Center is located in a rich wetland area, designed for education and conservation. It encourages visitors to connect with local wildlife, particularly various bird species. The design focuses on sustainability and ecological awareness, creating open spaces that allow for interaction with nature. Visitors can immerse themselves in the region’s diverse ecosystem while enjoying the facility’s thoughtful layout.

Architectural Layout

The visitor center features an organized layout with self-guided trails of 1.5 km and 3 km. These trails encourage guests to explore the surrounding landscape at their own pace. Pathways lead to a bird hide, which offers unobtrusive views of native species like the Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, and Sociable Lapwing. This structure promotes education and fosters a connection to the environment.

Facility Design

The center includes an information hub that features a reception area, office, and waiting space. It also has a training room, kitchen, gift shop, and café. An accessible ramp runs throughout the facility, ensuring that all visitors can navigate with ease. This design enhances inclusivity and adds to the overall user-friendly experience.

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability is integral to the design, reflected in material choices and environmental strategies. Rammed earth is a key material, providing thermal mass that helps with temperature regulation. This reduces the need for mechanical heating and cooling systems. Additionally, bamboo is used in the canopy structure, supporting the aesthetic and ecological goals of the center.

Environmental Integration

The design employs earth tubes that contribute to passive heating and cooling. This approach optimizes energy efficiency and maintains a comfortable atmosphere for visitors. The structure complements the natural landscape, allowing for a connection to the environment through abundant views and natural light.

Large windows frame the wetland outside, drawing visitors’ attention to the vibrant surroundings. This design choice encourages appreciation and understanding of local wildlife, fostering a sense of respect for the environment.

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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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