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Rammed Earth Facades with Flexible Courtyard Layouts Supporting Community Living

Rammed Earth Facades with Flexible Courtyard Layouts Supporting Community Living
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Combining rammed earth construction with a flexible courtyard design, the project promotes community living while utilizing sustainable materials and enhancing natural ventilation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth construction is utilized for both durability and thermal efficiency.
02
The design incorporates multiple flexible courtyards that promote social interaction.
03
Natural ventilation strategies are integrated to reduce reliance on mechanical cooling.
04
Local materials are prioritized to enhance cultural relevance and reduce environmental impact.
05
The layout facilitates easy adaptation for changing family needs over time.

## Overview

This architectural design project is located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is focused on sustainable modular living within the context of urban planning. The intent is to create a resilient urban environment that addresses both the building and landscape scales, aiming to facilitate adaptive responses to the challenges presented by rapid urbanization.

## Urban Planning Concepts

### Future Urban Hubs

The proposal articulates a vision for future urban hubs that develop inland, countering the typical shoreline expansion prevalent in the region. It aims to enhance mobility networks and establish new centers that address urbanization challenges through a carefully considered spatial arrangement. The urban layout incorporates protective green buffers to mitigate environmental impacts while promoting social interaction and functional living spaces.

## Materiality

### Unique Material Selection

Key materials selected for construction include rammed earth, which minimizes ecological impact and draws from the region's historical building traditions, and concrete, which provides structural durability. Wood elements add warmth, while glass treatments ensure natural light and energy efficiency. Decorative grilles, inspired by traditional motifs, integrate modern design with cultural references, enhancing ventilation and visual interest. The emphasis on rammed earth distinguishes this project within contemporary architectural practices, promoting sustainability and ecological harmony.

## Design Outcomes

### Interior and Exterior Spaces

The design strategically incorporates multiple courtyards to foster natural airflow and create a temperate internal climate. These outdoor spaces are intended for social interaction, while the flexible interior layout accommodates changing family dynamics, with provisions for future use of spaces, such as the rooftop. The clear division between private family areas and public guest zones respects local social and cultural practices, enhancing the overall hospitality within the dwelling.

### Sustainability and Environment

Sustainability is paramount in this project, evidenced by the integration of landscape architecture, water management strategies, and the use of ecological materials. The design not only respects the region's heritage but also interprets modern needs through environmentally conscious methods, presenting a balanced approach to contemporary urban living.

## Visual Elements and Functionality

### Structural and Aesthetic Details

The facades combine solid rammed earth with transparent glass, creating a visually dynamic interplay of light and shadows within the interior spaces. The innovative floor plan allows for both communal and private experiences, ensuring accessibility and engagement in shared areas such as living and dining rooms. Additionally, the integration of gardens and pools promotes outdoor living, aligning with the UAE's climate and lifestyle while enhancing leisure activities within daily life.

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Enter an open architecture
competition now

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
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100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

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

Open architecture competitions

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  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge

AIA (American Institute of Architects) invites you to design affordable housing in Denver

Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 18 September 2025

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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

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