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Rammed Earth and Flexible Fabric Panels Enhance Community Living in a Modular Framework

Authors:
Sabrina Jaffal, Carlo Morrone
Rammed Earth and Flexible Fabric Panels Enhance Community Living in a Modular Framework

Project in-detail

Utilizing rammed earth construction and adaptable fabric panels, this modular living solution creates a community-focused environment that balances individual privacy with social connectivity.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes rammed earth construction for superior thermal insulation.
02
Incorporates flexible fabric panels that serve as movable partitions.
03
Designed with interstitial spaces to encourage community interaction.
04
Modular units allow for adaptable configurations based on family needs.
05
Employs sustainable materials with low environmental impact.

### Overview
Located in Dubai, "The House of the Future" integrates Emirati cultural heritage with contemporary architectural practices. The project is designed on a 450-square-meter plot, focusing on modularity, environmental sustainability, and social connectivity. This approach not only preserves traditional values but also addresses the evolving needs of modern living through innovative design strategies.

### Spatial Strategy
The design employs a modular system that facilitates flexible living arrangements, enabling families to adapt their spaces based on changing requirements. Each unit within the scheme can be uniquely configured while adhering to a cohesive architectural language. Interstitial spaces are intentionally incorporated between the modules to promote social interaction, reflecting the communal tendencies found in traditional Emirati villages. The capacity for future expansion ensures that families can grow without sacrificing privacy, which is essential within the cultural context.

### Materiality and Sustainability
The project emphasizes the use of sustainable materials, notably earth-based construction methods. Prefabricated earth panels are employed for their thermal insulation properties, optimizing energy efficiency and indoor climate control. The structural walls made from rammed earth minimize the carbon footprint, aligning with Dubai's sustainability objectives. Additionally, the integration of weighted fabrics serves both functional and aesthetic roles, creating dynamic environments while providing necessary privacy. The design also prioritizes natural ventilation and passive cooling strategies, ensuring comfort in the region's harsh climate.

The overall architectural approach embodies a modern lifestyle while remaining deeply rooted in Emirati traditions, fostering a sense of community and individual identity through customizable living spaces tailored to diverse family needs.

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

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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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