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Smart Glass Facades and EFIS Insulation Create Sustainable Living in a Private Oasis

Author:
Ahmed Ahmed
Smart Glass Facades and EFIS Insulation Create Sustainable Living in a Private Oasis

Project in-detail

The integration of smart glass facades and EFIS insulation facilitates a sustainable living environment, enhancing comfort and energy efficiency in a residential setting that prioritizes outdoor spaces and community interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
The design incorporates advanced smart glass technology that adjusts transparency based on light conditions.
02
A semi-enclosed courtyard enhances natural ventilation and provides private gathering space for residents.
03
EFIS insulation significantly reduces energy consumption, promoting sustainability in a desert climate.
04
Outdoor living areas are seamlessly integrated with indoor spaces to enhance connectivity with nature.
05
The modular layout allows for flexible reconfiguration to meet changing family needs over time.

## Project Overview

Located in Palm Jebel Ali, Dubai, this residential design proposal aims to address contemporary housing needs by integrating sustainable practices within an urban context. The initiative emphasizes the creation of individualized outdoor spaces that foster an improved quality of life, responding to the challenges posed by the local climate and urban density.

## Spatial Strategy and User Experience

The project's layout is organized across three levels—ground, first, and second floors—each designed to enhance connectivity between indoor and outdoor environments. The ground floor features a shaded garden, private pool, and a semi-enclosed courtyard that enhances passive cooling. On the first floor, primary living areas are oriented to optimize views while maintaining privacy, complemented by a flexible second-floor design that accommodates additional living spaces. This strategic arrangement prioritizes outdoor living, ensuring residents have access to greenery and promoting a sense of community.

## Materiality and Sustainability

The material palette includes innovative components such as glass brick for light diffusion and privacy, smart glass facades that offer adjustable transparency, and durable wood panels. The integration of solar panels over 125 square meters on the roof promotes energy self-sufficiency, while the implementation of an Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EFIS) achieves a significant reduction in energy consumption. Furthermore, the design incorporates a green roof and water-efficient landscaping, which contribute to both ecological sustainability and the creation of a cooler microclimate, demonstrating a holistic approach to environmental considerations within the residential framework.

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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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