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Rammed Earth Domes Harmonizing With Desert Landscape for Community Engagement

Authors:
Rabee S. R. Alashi, Lavinia Tarif
Rammed Earth Domes Harmonizing With Desert Landscape for Community Engagement

Project in-detail

Constructed from locally sourced rammed earth, the domes seamlessly integrate into the desert landscape, providing multifunctional spaces for community engagement and cultural expression.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using locally sourced rammed earth, enhancing thermal performance.
02
Curvilinear dome shapes reflect the natural desert landscape.
03
Integrates water features for passive cooling and wellness.
04
Dedicated spaces for local artists promote cultural exchange.
05
Design incorporates natural light through strategically placed openings.

## Overview

Located in the desert landscapes of Saudi Arabia, the Dome Yard project consists of a series of domes, each tailored to fulfill specific functional requirements while maintaining visual coherence with the surrounding environment. The initiative prioritizes materiality, ecological sensitivity, and cultural relevance, positioning it as a noteworthy addition to the region's architectural dialogue.

## Functional Diversity

Each dome serves a distinct purpose, reflecting a thoughtful approach to spatial organization. Galleries provide venues for artistic expression, while dedicated dwellings offer residential spaces inspired by local rock formations. An amphitheater facilitates diverse performances, enhancing community engagement, and thermal baths promote wellness, ingeniously integrated with natural water elements. This specialization within each dome fosters a rich array of social and communal activities.

## Materiality and Design Integration

Central to the project's material strategy is the use of rammed earth, sourced directly from the local terrain to promote sustainability and provide thermal mass properties crucial for desert climates. In addition, strategically placed glass elements allow natural light to penetrate while offering protection from extreme weather conditions. A discreet steel framework supports larger spans within performance and gallery spaces, further exemplifying the design’s commitment to structural innovation and environmental harmony. The inclusion of water features in the thermal baths not only enhances the user experience but also supports thermal cooling throughout the site, addressing climate adaptability through intelligent design choices.

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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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