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Rammed Earth Structure Enhanced by Bamboo Screens and Central Courtyard for Family Living

Authors:
Philip Othigo, George Njenga Kuria
Rammed Earth Structure Enhanced by Bamboo Screens and Central Courtyard for Family Living

Project in-detail

Rammed earth walls and bamboo screens create a thermally efficient shelter that centers around a communal courtyard designed for family interaction and cultural integration.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth walls provide thermal mass for passive cooling.
02
The design incorporates bamboo screens for shading and aesthetic appeal.
03
A central courtyard fosters family interaction and enhances ventilation.
04
Sustainable features include rainwater harvesting and solar energy integration.
05
Flexibility in spatial organization allows for future expansion and adaptability.

### Project Overview

Located in the Emirates, the design merges traditional cultural values with modern architectural principles, exemplifying a responsive approach to local climate and community living dynamics. The overarching concept, “Yesterday Colours Tomorrow,” underscores a commitment to historical continuity and contemporary requirements, embodying principles of modesty, privacy, and hospitality.

### Spatial Strategy

The spatial arrangement effectively delineates areas into public, semi-public, and private sections, facilitating varied interactions within the home. A central courtyard serves as a key element, fostering a shared environment while also functioning as a passive cooling mechanism. This design supports a lifestyle that prioritizes family and social gatherings, creating an inviting atmosphere conducive to community living.

### Materiality and Climate Adaptation

This project employs a range of materials that reflect local building traditions and sustainability practices. Rammed earth is utilized for walls, enhancing thermal mass and providing natural insulation. Bamboo adds aesthetic value, while extensive use of glass promotes natural light and ventilation, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. Overhangs and reflective surfaces are incorporated to reduce heat gain, and strategically placed greenery contributes to improved microclimatic conditions, enhancing thermal comfort. The layout also allows for future expansion, ensuring the home adapts to changing family needs over time.

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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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