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Rammed Earth and Perforated Timber Screens Create A Harmonious Family Dwelling

Authors:
Ali Jasim, Ameer Abed
Rammed Earth and Perforated Timber Screens Create A Harmonious Family Dwelling

Project in-detail

Incorporating rammed earth and perforated timber screens, the residence facilitates a seamless interaction between indoor spaces and landscaped courtyards, designed to foster family connections and privacy.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth construction provides natural insulation and thermal mass for energy efficiency.
02
Perforated timber screens enhance ventilation while maintaining privacy in outdoor spaces.
03
Integrated vertical gardens improve air quality and contribute to biodiversity.
04
Geothermal systems offer energy-efficient heating and cooling throughout the residence.
05
Expansive glass facades create a seamless connection between interior spaces and landscaped courtyards.

### Overview and Concept

Unity House is a residential project located in the UAE, designed with a focus on Emirati family culture. The intent is to enhance social interactions while maintaining personal privacy, creating an environment conducive to both communal and individual well-being. The architectural design emphasizes a connection with nature, aiming to provide residents with a tranquil living space that facilitates family engagement.

### Spatial Organization and User Experience

The spatial layout is purposefully structured to segregate public and private areas, ensuring personal spaces while promoting family interactions. Key features include the Majlis, positioned to encourage gatherings, and a series of courtyards and terrace gardens that enhance the overall living experience. These outdoor spaces are designed to foster emotional well-being through the incorporation of green microclimates and automated shading solutions.

### Material Selection and Sustainability

The materiality of Unity House is integral to its design identity, emphasizing sustainability and cultural relevance. Locally sourced rammed earth provides natural thermal insulation, while wood is utilized in cabinetry, adding warmth to the interior. Decorative clay plaster enhances the connection to natural textures, and perforated timber screens serve both aesthetic and functional purposes by filtering sunlight. The project integrates advanced energy-efficient systems, including a hybrid solar power setup and geothermal heating and cooling, addressing environmental challenges while maintaining comfort and luxury.

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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

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
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