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Smart Glass and Cool Brick Unite in a Sustainable Residential Design

Author:
Linda Karen Vazquez
Smart Glass and Cool Brick Unite in a Sustainable Residential Design

Project in-detail

A blend of smart glass and cool brick creates a climate-responsive home that fosters connectivity between indoor and outdoor spaces, offering a functional and sustainable living environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Smart glass windows reduce heat gain while maximizing natural light.
02
The use of cool brick enhances thermal performance tailored for the desert environment.
03
Charred wooden shingles contribute to both aesthetics and fire resistance.
04
Cross-laminated timber panels provide structural integrity and sustainability.
05
A flexible design allows for future expansion without structural disruption.

# House of the Future Project Overview

Located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the House of the Future redefines contemporary residential architecture through innovative spatial planning and sustainability principles. Intended to create a livable environment that meets the cultural context of the region, the design emphasizes adaptability and connectivity between indoor and outdoor spaces. The structure is oriented to foster both social interactions and privacy, addressing the environmental challenges unique to the desert climate of Dubai.

## Spatial Configuration

The ground floor features several distinct zones, including a living room enhanced by cross ventilation through tri-panel sliding doors, providing access to outdoor areas. The dining area, adjacent to the living space, benefits from double-height ceilings and a fireplace, balancing comfort with functionality. A strategically located kitchen ensures privacy and efficiency with direct access to a pantry. The service block accommodates essential utility spaces, while the Majlis offers a semi-open area conducive to social gatherings, emphasizing both interaction and privacy.

On the upper level, private living spaces are prioritized. The master bedroom includes an en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet, along with access to a balcony that reinforces the connection to outdoor spaces. A multifunctional family room supports various leisure activities, and four additional bedrooms, each with individual bathrooms, ensure comfort and privacy for residents and guests. The hall design promotes interaction among occupants while maintaining accessibility to all bedrooms.

## Material Choice and Environmental Strategy

Attention to material selection plays a critical role in achieving sustainability goals. The design incorporates smart glass windows to minimize heat entry while allowing natural light, enhancing energy efficiency. Concrete is utilized for its structural properties and thermal mass, while cool brick assists in maintaining a comfortable interior temperature in the desert climate. Natural wood is used in external cladding, providing aesthetic appeal while improving thermal insulation. Integrated planting systems support environmental quality and aesthetics, contributing to temperature regulation and air purification.

The design also emphasizes the use of recyclable materials and implements architectural overhangs to shield windows from excessive sunlight, promoting energy conservation throughout the year. This thoughtful approach to materiality not only supports the building's performance but also aligns with broader sustainability objectives.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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