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Rammed Earth Construction With Traditional Areesha Mashrabiya In Sustainable Residential Design

Authors:
Youssef Rafik Mustafa Mohammed, Abdelrahman Salah Salama Mohamed Ghoneim, Roubair Ashraf Fekry George
Rammed Earth Construction With Traditional Areesha Mashrabiya In Sustainable Residential Design

Project in-detail

Combining rammed earth construction with traditional Areesha mashrabiya, the design offers a sustainable residential solution that enhances natural cooling and promotes community interaction in a modern urban landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth serves as the primary structural material, enhancing thermal mass and sustainability.
02
Areesha mashrabiya elements ensure privacy while allowing for optimal airflow and light.
03
Courtyards strategically positioned to maximize natural ventilation and community engagement.
04
Integrated greywater systems promote water conservation in an arid climate.
05
Modular design allows for future adaptability and personalization of living spaces.

## Project Overview

Located in the United Arab Emirates, the House of the Future aims to address contemporary living challenges, particularly within urban contexts like Dubai. The design focuses on creating a harmonious living environment that emphasizes a connection with natural elements and Emirati heritage, while promoting sustainability as a core value.

### Spatial Organization and Materiality

The layout consists of blocks arranged around a series of courtyards, which facilitate airflow and connect the interior with the surrounding landscape. This configuration not only mitigates the harsh climate but also optimizes light and shadow through its innovative geometry.

Key features include:

- **Courtyards**: Essential to the design, these spaces enhance airflow and enable natural light penetration into living areas.

- **Material Selection**:
- **Rammed Earth**: Utilized as the primary structural component, it offers natural insulation and unique aesthetic textures.
- **Teak Wood**: Incorporated in beams and internal structures, providing warmth and visual appeal.
- **Fabric Shading**: Hanging fabrics diffuse sunlight, maintaining comfort in interior spaces without compromising natural light.
- **Areesha (Palm) Mashrabiya**: This traditional feature provides privacy while allowing air circulation and light ingress.

The introduction of water features, including grey water filtration systems, further supports sustainability initiatives by addressing water scarcity, an essential consideration in arid regions.

### Construction Strategy and User Experience

The design employs prefabricated materials to enhance construction efficiency and minimize environmental impact. Each modular component can be easily expanded or modified to accommodate changing family needs, reflecting a flexible approach to residential living.

Significant design elements include:

- **Sustainable Components**:
- **Solar Panels**: Positioned to maximize energy absorption.
- **Operable Skylights**: Facilitate natural ventilation, reducing dependence on mechanical climate control systems.
- **Evaporative Cooling Mechanisms**: Integrated water features and landscape designs contribute to maintaining lower indoor temperatures.

- **Spatial Arrangement**: The entrance leads into a communal atrium, while the upper floors are designated for private living spaces, establishing a clear division between public and private areas.

- **Pathways and Alleys**: These elements serve dual purposes, providing access and fostering interaction among residents to strengthen community ties.

Materials utilized in the project include rammed earth, teak wood, hanging fabric for sunlight diffusion, Areesha (palm) mashrabiya, solar panels, basalt, and native vegetation, all carefully selected to align with the environmental context and intended user experience.

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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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