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Solar-Powered Complex Featuring Natural Stone and Arched Design Elements

Authors:
Marco Orto, Domenico Giovanni Cacciapaglia, Federica Poggio
Solar-Powered Complex Featuring Natural Stone and Arched Design Elements

Project in-detail

Combining solar power generation with natural stone and innovative arched design elements, the residential complex offers adaptable living spaces while prioritizing sustainability and community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Arched openings optimize natural light and ventilation throughout the living spaces.
02
Integrated solar panels serve dual functions as shading devices and energy generators.
03
Locally sourced natural stone enhances aesthetic appeal and reduces environmental impact.
04
Adaptable floor plans promote flexible use of spaces for varying resident needs.
05
Smart home technologies automatically adjust energy consumption based on user behavior.

This architectural design project involves a sustainable residential complex that integrates modern living requirements with energy-efficient features and culturally relevant aesthetics. The architecture emphasizes environmental responsibility, functional spaces, and a strong connection to the surrounding landscape. This project serves as both a personal living environment and a community hub, promoting social interaction while ensuring individual privacy.

Implementation of traditional design elements, such as arched openings, reflects a respect for historical architectural styles, offering both aesthetic and practical benefits. The project employs a neutral color palette that not only harmonizes with the natural surroundings but also enhances the visual coherence of the complex.

Sustainability is a core aspect of this design. Architecturally, the layout includes prefabricated structures that speed up construction while minimizing waste. Energy efficiency is achieved through the strategic placement of solar panels on both the façade and the roofing system, enhancing the building's energy performance. The introduction of water recycling systems and efficient insulation materials further supports the complex’s ecological objectives, ensuring a minimal environmental footprint.

Unique Design Features

This project distinguishes itself through its innovative integration of traditional forms with contemporary functionality. The use of arched design elements not only pays homage to local architectural heritage but also optimizes natural light and ventilation throughout the living spaces. The architecture supports adaptive living arrangements, allowing residents to modify spaces according to their changing needs. This flexibility is evident in the adaptable layouts of the communal spaces and private areas, which include a multipurpose majlis, living room, and children's playroom.

The architectural design incorporates smart home technologies that enhance energy efficiency and user comfort. By integrating automated lighting and environmental controls, the project minimizes energy consumption based on the residents’ behavioral patterns.

Interior Configuration and Materiality

The spatial organization reflects a thoughtful approach to community interaction, with communal areas located at the ground level and private quarters upstairs. This segregation promotes both social connectivity and personal retreat. The materials selected for the project align with sustainability goals, emphasizing the use of locally sourced natural stone finishes. These materials strengthen the link between the structures and their geographical context, reducing transportation-related emissions.

The use of operable windows enhances ventilation and contributes to passive heating and cooling strategies. The well-considered relationship between indoor and outdoor environments encourages natural airflow, further enhancing the comfort of the residents. The innovative structural choices and a robust focus on community-oriented design culminate in an architectural solution that addresses contemporary living while honoring local traditions.

For additional insights into the architectural plans, sections, designs, and ideas presented in this project, readers are encouraged to explore the full project presentation. Doing so will provide a comprehensive understanding of the innovative methodologies employed and the architectural integrity established throughout the design process.

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge invites architects and designers to create iconic public sculptures for one of two sites in Saudi Arabia: Abu Hadriyah Road or the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar. Proposals should reflect Saudi identity, culture, and future aspirations.

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge is an international architecture and design competition inviting creatives to shape the future of Saudi Arabia’s public spaces. With a total prize fund of €50,000, the competition calls for sculptural proposals that merge cultural symbolism with innovative design, offering participants a chance to see their concepts brought to life in a rapidly transforming national context.

Organised by Buildner in partnership with the Mujassam Watan Initiative, the challenge focuses on two prominent locations: Abu Hadriyah Road, a major highway and gateway into the Eastern Province, and the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar, a pedestrian-focused waterfront district. Designers must select one site and develop a sculpture that engages with its surroundings—whether addressing the fast-paced dynamism of a transit corridor or creating moments of interaction along a coastal promenade.

Proposals should be bold, site-specific, and rooted in narrative—drawing on themes such as heritage, national identity, transformation, and dialogue. Environmental responsiveness, material durability, and feasibility are strongly encouraged, as winning projects may be selected for actual construction.

Each submission must include four A2 landscape presentation boards, a cover image, and a written project description. The competition is open to professionals and students alike, working individually or in teams of up to four people. No professional license is required.

Registration is open until July 24, 2025, with final submissions due by August 27, 2025. Winners will be announced on October 1, 2025.

Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge

Design iconic urban sculptures for the prestigious Mujassam Watan competition and compete for 50,000 €

50,000 € PRIZE project COMPETITION
Prize 50,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 24 July 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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