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Recycled Concrete and Solar Panels Enhance Cultural Resilience in a Modern Family Home

Recycled Concrete and Solar Panels Enhance Cultural Resilience in a Modern Family Home
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Utilizing recycled concrete and integrated solar panels, the design fosters cultural identity and environmental sustainability in a contemporary family home.
5 key facts about this project
01
Recycled concrete is utilized extensively throughout the structure for sustainability.
02
The design incorporates solar panels that optimize energy efficiency for everyday use.
03
Pallet wood is employed for interior finishes, emphasizing local sourcing and environmental impact.
04
Natural ventilation strategies are implemented to enhance indoor air quality and comfort.
05
A dedicated majlis space fosters cultural interaction and social gatherings within the home.

### Overview

The project is located in Dubai and aims to create a holistic living environment that prioritizes sustainability, privacy, and social interaction. It integrates diverse elements to balance individual family needs with shared social spaces and environmental considerations, reflecting local cultural sensibilities while adapting to modern efficiencies.

### Design Philosophy

The design emphasizes a harmonious blend of traditional influences and contemporary needs. It is structured around principles of privacy, community, and sustainability, advocating for a cohesive living experience that respects cultural values while adapting to current lifestyles. The architecture reflects a commitment to creating spaces that enhance social interaction, with specific attention paid to the arrangement of public, private, and service areas to optimize usability.

### Spatial Configuration

The layout is organized into three defined scales: macro, meso, and micro. At the macro level, the division into high and low-activity zones optimizes energy and water resource use. The meso level integrates culturally significant spaces, such as the "majlis," to facilitate gatherings while seamlessly connecting indoor and outdoor environments. The micro level focuses on the design of individual spaces, ensuring that living areas promote both privacy and shared experiences. This configuration supports family dynamics, with an open-plan ground floor encouraging communal activities, while the first floor ensures quietude through private quarters.

### Materiality and Sustainability

The material selection reflects both aesthetic choices and a commitment to sustainable practices. Recycled concrete is utilized for cost-effective construction, while white tiles enhance energy efficiency by reflecting sunlight. Local pallet wood serves decorative purposes, and gypsum board is chosen for its affordability and recyclability. Sustainable features include water harvesting systems, natural ventilation via louver windows, and a greywater recycling system, all designed to minimize environmental impact.

### Cultural Engagement

The architectural design resonates with Emirati culture, providing spaces that balance privacy with opportunities for community interaction. The majlis room is pivotal for family bonding and discourse, reinforcing the home’s social framework. The patterned façade serves both aesthetic and functional purposes, enhancing privacy and facilitating the play of light and shadow. Outdoor terraces and courtyards extend living spaces, fostering a connection to the natural surroundings and enriching the overall living experience.

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Enter an open architecture
competition now

Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

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

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge

AIA (American Institute of Architects) invites you to design affordable housing in Denver

Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 18 September 2025

Recurring architecture competitions

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Final registration deadline 18 September 2025
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Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #7 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 September 2025
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
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Re:Form - 
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Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

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Early bird registration deadline 2 October 2025
Hospice - 
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Design a safe and supportive space to those struggling with a terminal illness

Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
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Advance registration deadline 9 October 2025
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Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 15 October 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 16 October 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

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
The Last 
Nuclear Bomb Memorial

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

Edition #6 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 13 November 2025
Concrete 
Pavilion

Design a concrete pavilion

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Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025

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