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Rammed Earth and Iroko Wood Blend in a Sustainable Urban Community Design

Authors:
Uri Michael, Sean Mihael
Rammed Earth and Iroko Wood Blend in a Sustainable Urban Community Design

Project in-detail

Constructed with rammed earth and Iroko wood, this sustainable urban community emphasizes natural ventilation and shared spaces, fostering a cohesive living environment for families in an arid climate.
5 key facts about this project
01
Developed using rammed earth, enhancing thermal performance and sustainability.
02
Incorporates traditional mashrabiyya screens for natural ventilation and privacy.
03
Features a community courtyard designed to facilitate social interaction.
04
Utilizes Iroko wood for durability and aesthetic appeal in structural elements.
05
Includes green roofs to promote biodiversity and insulation.

## Overview
Located in the Nad Al Sheba neighborhood of Dubai, the Dubai Habitat project exemplifies a commitment to sustainable living and cultural integration within the context of contemporary architecture. The design promotes innovative technology while honoring traditional Middle Eastern architectural elements, aiming to create a community-oriented environment that addresses the specific challenges of urban dwelling in arid climates.

## Spatial Strategy and Community Interaction
Adaptive living spaces define the project’s spatial organization, which features interconnected layouts designed to enhance openness and facilitate airflow. The integration of voids throughout the structure not only encourages natural light but also improves climatic comfort. Traditional elements such as windcatchers and courtyards are incorporated to leverage passive cooling techniques and foster social connectivity among residents. These features are complemented by modular housing configurations that allow for customization, thereby accommodating diverse family sizes while reinforcing communal living.

## Material Selection and Sustainability
The selection of materials reflects both sustainability and aesthetic considerations. Iroko wood, noted for its durability, forms essential structural and decorative elements. White precast concrete provides structural integrity along with energy efficiency through thermal massing. Rammed earth concrete enhances thermal performance and aligns with local vernacular architecture principles. Additional sustainable features include brown roofs and vegetable gardens that promote biodiversity and insulation benefits, while mashrabiyya screens offer privacy and enhance ventilation in a desert environment. Energy generation is supported by solar panels, including an innovative spherical sun power generator, and a vortex bladeless turbine, which provides environmentally friendly energy solutions with lower maintenance requirements.

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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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