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Rammed Earth Ziggurats Embracing Desert Biodiversity and Cultural Heritage

Authors:
Uli Schifferdecker, Daniel Nocker
Rammed Earth Ziggurats Embracing Desert Biodiversity and Cultural Heritage

Project in-detail

Rammed earth ziggurats rise from the desert landscape, integrating traditional Arab architectural principles to create a facility dedicated to wildlife study and environmental education.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth walls provide structural strength and thermal efficiency.
02
Three ziggurats serve dual purposes for service areas and observation points.
03
Windcatchers enhance natural ventilation, reducing reliance on mechanical cooling.
04
An educational garden showcases local and foreign plant species to promote biodiversity.
05
The layout reflects nomadic tent qualities, allowing flexible use of spaces.

Flamingo Harbour is located about an hour's drive from Abu Dhabi, near the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve. The facility serves as a space for studying wildlife while highlighting traditional Arab architectural principles. Its design draws on five key concepts: the ziggurat, the oasis, the nomad tent, the windcatcher, and rammed earth walls. Together, these elements combine purpose and meaning, reflecting both cultural heritage and modern requirements.

Ziggurat

The structure features three ziggurats with triangular bases, symbolizing humanity’s pursuit of the heavens. Each ziggurat has specific functions. The lower parts contain service areas, while the middle sections offer lookout points. At the top, windcatchers enhance natural ventilation. This design effectively uses passive cooling strategies to create a comfortable environment.

Oasis

The landscaped oasis provides an educational garden that showcases various local and foreign plants. This area allows visitors to learn about desert biodiversity while enjoying shaded spaces. Arranging plants near the glass façade helps control sunlight. It reduces heat and improves comfort, particularly during the low-angle sun in the mornings and evenings.

Nomad Tent

The design reflects qualities of a nomad tent by allowing flexible and open spaces. This adaptation makes the layout suitable for various activities and enhances visitor interaction. The airy configuration promotes different educational experiences within the museum's environment, encouraging visitors to explore and engage.

Windcatcher and Rammed Earth

Windcatchers serve as a way to cool the interiors naturally, showing a commitment to sustainable practices rooted in cultural history. The choice of rammed earth as the construction material adds strength and connects the building to local architectural traditions. This material choice also provides a tactile quality that harmonizes with the surrounding landscape.

Large glass panels create connections between indoor spaces and the natural environment outside. These windows invite light and bring views of the wetlands into the design, enriching the visitor experience and creating a tranquil atmosphere.

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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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