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Rammed Earth Panels and Natural Wood Brown Harmonize in Sustainable Community Housing

Rammed Earth Panels and Natural Wood Brown Harmonize in Sustainable Community Housing

Project in-detail

Utilizing rammed earth panels and operable louvers for passive cooling, the design integrates sustainable materials with adaptable living spaces to create an efficient community housing solution.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes locally sourced rammed earth panels to enhance thermal mass and energy efficiency.
02
Incorporates operable louvers for natural ventilation, reducing reliance on mechanical cooling.
03
Features a multi-purpose room adaptable to various family needs and activities.
04
Integrates native landscaping to promote biodiversity and minimize water consumption.
05
Employs prefabrication techniques to streamline construction and minimize site waste.

## Analytical Report on Housing Design in the UAE

This project addresses the significant housing challenges faced in the United Arab Emirates, a region marked by rapid urbanization and an arid climate. The design integrates modern sustainable architecture with elements of Emirati heritage, aiming to provide a solution that is both environmentally conscious and culturally relevant.

### Spatial Organization and User Experience
The design features a three-tier layout, comprising a basement, ground, and first floor, optimized to facilitate natural light and airflow. The ground floor includes an open-concept living area, dining space, and kitchen, complemented by a multi-purpose room and additional utility areas, fostering a versatile living environment that supports family interactions. The first floor prioritizes privacy, containing several bedrooms with attached bathrooms, while terraces extend the living spaces outdoors. The basement serves functional needs with mechanical rooms integrated into the overall building structure.

### Materiality and Sustainability
Material choices emphasize sustainability and cultural resonance. The project employs prefabricated rammed earth panels, sourced locally to reduce embodied carbon and enhance thermal performance. Features such as operable louvers are implemented to encourage passive ventilation, minimizing reliance on mechanical cooling systems. The landscape design incorporates both hard and soft elements, utilizing native plant species and water-efficient irrigation systems to promote ecological integrity and counteract the urban heat island effect. Additionally, energy conservation strategies, including geothermal cooling and roof-mounted photovoltaic panels, further demonstrate the commitment to reducing environmental impact.

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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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
The Architect’s 
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The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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