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Rammed Earth Walls and Elevated Living Spaces in a Flexible Family Home

Rammed Earth Walls and Elevated Living Spaces in a Flexible Family Home
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Constructed with rammed earth walls and incorporating a central courtyard, this family home emphasizes privacy and sustainability while offering adaptable living spaces for modern Emirati lifestyles.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using locally sourced rammed earth for thermal efficiency and cultural relevance.
02
Features a central courtyard that enhances natural ventilation and fosters family interaction.
03
Incorporates modular design, allowing for future expansions without compromising structural integrity.
04
Utilizes traditional mashrabiya for shading, privacy, and airflow control.
05
Elevated ground floor maximizes outdoor space usability and minimizes flooding risks.

## Project Overview
Located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the House of the Future aims to redefine the Emirati home by integrating sustainable design principles with contemporary living requirements. The intent is to create a residential environment that resonates with cultural values while accommodating the evolving lifestyles of Emirati families amidst globalization.

## Spatial Organization
The design employs a zoning strategy to establish distinct boundaries between public and private spaces, reflecting Emirati traditions and ensuring family privacy. The layout separates living areas from service zones, facilitating interaction in communal spaces while allowing for individual retreat. The inclusion of a courtyard is central to this organizational strategy, providing shade, enhancing natural ventilation, and serving as a multifunctional space for social interaction. This courtyard design also addresses climatic challenges by offering a cooling microclimate and opportunities for plant cultivation.

### Modular Adaptability
The project features a modular design system that allows for flexibility and customization of spaces according to changing family dynamics. This approach supports cost-effective expansions without compromising essential functions. The elevated ground floor design further maximizes utility, creating additional usable space beneath and clarifying the division between public and private areas.

## Material Selection
Material choices reflect a balance of tradition and innovation in contemporary Emirati architecture. Rammed earth is utilized for its sustainability and energy efficiency, while a concrete framework ensures structural integrity and aesthetic versatility. Strategic use of glazing allows natural light into interior spaces while maintaining privacy, complemented by wooden elements that provide warmth and texture. The incorporation of mashrabiya offers shading and promotes airflow, contributing to both comfort and facade complexity.

## Sustainability Features
Sustainability is integral to the design, incorporating passive and active environmental strategies. The courtyard and mashrabiya enhance natural ventilation, reducing reliance on mechanical cooling systems. The landscape design includes provisions for gardens, beekeeping, and tree planting, fostering biodiversity within the urban environment. The overall design minimizes energy consumption, promoting an environmentally responsible approach to modern living.

## Configurable Design Solutions
The modular nature of the House of the Future allows for adaptable floor plans that can respond to future needs, whether through expanded dimensions or personalization. Each configuration balances living space requirements with functional characteristics, ensuring long-term relevance as family dynamics evolve. Detailed budget projections outline the financial viability of the project, which includes allocated costs for key materials such as rammed earth and concrete structures.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

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Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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