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Rammed Earth Construction With Integrated Thermal Mass for Sustainable Living

Author:
Furkan Cinar
Rammed Earth Construction With Integrated Thermal Mass for Sustainable Living

Project in-detail

Utilizing rammed earth construction and Phase Change Materials, this villa achieves superior thermal performance while incorporating traditional design elements like a Majlis to create a cohesive space for modern living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes rammed earth construction to enhance thermal efficiency.
02
Incorporates Phase Change Materials for natural temperature regulation.
03
Features a traditional Majlis to promote cultural hospitality.
04
Integrates expansive glass facades for optimal natural light.
05
Includes solar panels and wind turbines for energy sustainability.

### Overview of the Project
Located in Dubai, the Villa Oasis encompasses a modern residential design that emphasizes sustainability and a connection to its urban context. The project reflects a commitment to integrating advanced architectural principles with environmentally conscious practices, aiming to create a harmonious living space that enhances the quality of life for its occupants. This analysis delves into the villa's design intent, architectural features, and its relationship with the surrounding environment.

### Site Integration and Conceptual Framework
The design of Villa Oasis is fundamentally linked to its setting in a bustling city renowned for its modernity and cultural diversity. The project aims to create a tranquil sanctuary that serves as a retreat from urban activity, focusing on ecological sensitivity through the incorporation of green spaces and water features that enrich both the landscape and the living experience. The design fosters a strong relationship between indoor and outdoor environments, encouraging fluid transitions that enhance natural light and ventilation.

### Architectural Features and Materiality
The Villa Oasis is organized across two levels, with the ground floor dedicated to communal living areas, including a central living room, a traditional Majlis, and a modern kitchen optimized for social interaction. The strategic placement of windows ensures that natural light permeates the interior, while the first floor is dedicated to private spaces, including bedrooms that maintain a visual and sensory connection to nature.

Construction methods include rammed earth techniques combined with Phase Change Materials (PCM), which improve thermal performance by moderating temperature fluctuations within the building. Key materials utilized include rammed earth for its insulating properties and aesthetic quality, concrete walls equipped with PCMs for environmental stability, and expansive glass barriers that facilitate light penetration and outdoor interaction. Additionally, the installation of solar panels and wind turbines underscores a commitment to energy efficiency.

Through its integration of cultural elements, such as the Majlis, the villa reflects Emirati traditions while incorporating modern technological solutions that enhance comfort and energy management. Expansive terraces and native landscaping further promote biodiversity, enriching the site’s ecological balance and establishing a landscape that resonates with its cultural context.

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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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