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Smart Glass and Cool Brick Unite in a Sustainable Residential Design

Smart Glass and Cool Brick Unite in a Sustainable Residential Design
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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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Enter an open architecture
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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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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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