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Rammed Earth Panels and Hydro Technology Integrate with Biophilic Design in Sustainable Residential Development

Authors:
Ian Guevara HernÁndez, Natalia Ottonello
Rammed Earth Panels and Hydro Technology Integrate with Biophilic Design in Sustainable Residential Development

Project in-detail

Utilizing rammed earth panels and hydro technology, the design cultivates a connection with nature while providing a flexible residential space that prioritizes sustainability and adaptability.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth panels provide thermal mass and a strong connection to the local landscape.
02
Integrated hydro panels ensure efficient water collection in a desert environment.
03
Flexible interior layouts accommodate various family sizes and changing lifestyles.
04
Biophilic design elements promote mental well-being through natural light and organic forms.
05
Photovoltaic panels allow the residence to become self-sufficient in energy consumption.

### Project Overview
Located in the United Arab Emirates, the House of the Future project is designed with a focus on sustainability, modernity, and contextual relevance. The design integrates contemporary architectural elements with considerations for the region's cultural and climatic characteristics. The objective is to create a living environment that is responsive to its natural surroundings while fulfilling modern residential needs.

### Spatial Strategy and User Adaptability
The layout provides flexibility through multiple configurations tailored to various family sizes and lifestyles. Options range from compact, single-family arrangements to larger communal spaces, allowing residents to customize their environments in accordance with individual preferences and dynamics. Interior spaces emphasize openness, enhancing livability in the desert climate through large windows that maximize natural light and offer expansive views of the landscape.

### Materiality and Sustainability
The material selection prioritizes local resources and eco-friendly practices. The structure utilizes pre-cast earth panels, which offer thermal mass and connect the house to its terrain. Photovoltaic and hydro panels are integrated to generate renewable energy and provide clean water, respectively. Passive energy strategies, such as natural ventilation inspired by traditional wind towers, reflect a commitment to minimizing the ecological footprint while addressing the region's specific environmental challenges.

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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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