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Rammed Earth Walls and Vertical Gardens Enhance Sustainable Living in a Modern Family Villa

Authors:
Anand Devarajan, Kenia Nicole Roman Cortez, Kengo Kawagashira
Rammed Earth Walls and Vertical Gardens Enhance Sustainable Living in a Modern Family Villa

Project in-detail

Utilizing rammed earth walls and vertical gardens, the villa achieves a sustainable living environment that caters to family dynamics while merging contemporary design with cultural heritage.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes rammed earth construction for superior thermal performance and local material sustainability.
02
Incorporates vertical gardens that enhance natural ventilation and biodiversity around the villa.
03
Features a geometric façade that blends traditional Arabic design elements with modern aesthetics.
04
Orientation and landscaping strategically minimize heat gain while maximizing outdoor living space.
05
Integrates renewable energy solutions, including solar panels, to support eco-friendly living.

# Architectural Analysis Report: Desert Garden Villa – Dubai House of the Future

## Overview
Located in Dubai, the Desert Garden Villa exemplifies contemporary architectural design while incorporating traditional Arabic influences. The intent is to create a residential space that enhances privacy and promotes family interactions through a thoughtfully organized layout. Distinct zones for public and private activities facilitate movement within the home while respecting cultural values inherent in Middle Eastern architecture.

## Spatial Organization and User Experience
The villa’s spatial strategy highlights a careful delineation of service, public, and private areas, allowing for fluid transitions between different zones. This organization not only enhances functionality but also resonates with the cultural importance of family and privacy. The design encourages social interaction within communal areas, while private spaces are reserved for reflection and solitude, fostering a balanced living environment.

### Architectural Expression and Materiality
The villa's design integrates local materials and modern elements to address environmental challenges. The use of rammed earth walls provides natural insulation and enhances the structure's energy efficiency, while precast concrete contributes to durability and rapid construction. A robust steel frame allows for innovative architectural forms, and solar-efficient glazing minimizes heat gain while maximizing natural light. Unique features such as circular elements juxtaposed with angular forms create a visually dynamic façade that reflects the interplay between traditional and modern aesthetics. The inclusion of vertical gardens and lush landscaping further enhances the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, promoting engagement with the natural environment.

By prioritizing these design principles, the Desert Garden Villa establishes a model for sustainable living that harmonizes architectural innovation with cultural context. Its strategic orientation within Dubai's climate ensures optimal sunlight and shade, facilitating thermal comfort and natural ventilation.

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