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Rammed Earth Walls and Wind Towers Enhance Sustainable Living in Communal Courtyards

Rammed Earth Walls and Wind Towers Enhance Sustainable Living in Communal Courtyards
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Rammed earth walls and strategically integrated wind towers create a sustainable environment that fosters community interaction within a series of interconnected courtyards designed for modern living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth walls provide thermal mass for energy efficiency.
02
Wind towers enhance natural ventilation throughout the living spaces.
03
Communal courtyards promote social interaction among residents.
04
Cross-laminated timber elements offer structural versatility and sustainability.
05
Strategically placed trombe walls contribute to passive solar heating.

### Overview
The residential design is located in an urban area characterized by rapid development and climatic challenges typical of a desert environment. It aims to create functional living spaces that honor traditional architectural principles while incorporating contemporary needs and sustainability practices. The layout is strategically organized around central courtyards, promoting both privacy and natural ventilation, thus integrating cultural aesthetics with modern residential living.

### Spatial Strategy
The plan employs a geometric layout that maximizes land use efficiency and fosters communal interactions. Central courtyards serve as multifunctional spaces that encourage social engagement among residents. By organizing living areas around these open spaces, the design not only enhances airflow but also creates visual connections between indoors and outdoors, contributing to an overall sense of community.

### Materiality and Sustainability
The selection of materials plays a pivotal role in this design, focusing on sustainability and environmental responsiveness. The incorporation of rammed earth panels enhances thermal mass, aiding in temperature regulation. Pre-cast concrete elements provide structural resilience, while trombe walls utilize passive solar heating to optimize energy efficiency. Wooden screens and lattices enhance aesthetic appeal, offering shade and privacy, whereas strategically placed glass elements invite natural light, reinforcing the connection between interior spaces and the exterior environment. Additional features such as solar panels and wind towers further support the project’s sustainability goals by promoting energy independence and natural ventilation, respectively.

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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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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
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