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

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