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Rotating Sustainability Platform with Fluted Concrete and Natural Timber Elements in a Modern Residential Setting

Authors:
Saja Al Gharib, Rona Koobayssi
Rotating Sustainability Platform with Fluted Concrete and Natural Timber Elements in a Modern Residential Setting

Project in-detail

A rotating sustainability platform utilizes fluted concrete and natural timber to create a modern residential villa that balances privacy and communal living within the arid climate of the UAE.
5 key facts about this project
01
A rotating sustainability platform optimizes solar exposure and natural ventilation.
02
Fluted concrete panels facilitate rainwater collection for efficient water management.
03
Internal courtyards create microclimates that enhance indoor air quality.
04
The design incorporates traditional Majlis spaces to promote cultural connection.
05
Operable glass walls seamlessly integrate indoor and outdoor living areas.

### Overview

The Sustainable Platform Villa is positioned in the United Arab Emirates, integrating traditional and modern architectural styles to address sustainability and environmental adaptation. The design objectives focus on creating a balance between privacy and openness, resulting in a structure that accommodates the social dynamics of contemporary life while respecting local cultural practices. By dividing the building into masses and voids, the design encourages outdoor living and enhances community engagement in an urban setting.

### Spatial Configuration and Unique Features

The villa consists of three distinct levels, each serving specific functions. The basement houses essential support spaces, including a service kitchen and laundry facilities. The ground floor serves as the primary social area, featuring interconnected living, dining, and kitchen spaces along with a *Majlis* that honors cultural traditions. In contrast, the second floor is dedicated to private quarters, including bedrooms that connect to a *Sustainability Platform*, adaptable to seasonal changes. This platform optimizes solar exposure and ventilation, essential for the local climate. Other notable design elements include an internal courtyard that promotes indoor biodiversity and enhances air quality, and operable glass walls that facilitate the flow between indoor and outdoor environments.

### Materials and Environmental Considerations

The material selection emphasizes sustainability, incorporating ultra-low carbon concrete blocks for structural integrity and minimizing the ecological footprint. Fluted panels are utilized to capture rainwater, supporting efficient water management. The integration of solar panels enhances energy efficiency by harnessing renewable resources, while wooden cladding contributes to both aesthetics and passive shading. These materials reflect a commitment to environmental stewardship and resource reduction, aligning with the project's functional objectives and overall design philosophy.

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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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