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

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

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.

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

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