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Sustainable Dwellings Built from Earth Materials with Integrated Greywater Systems

Authors:
Saman Saffarian, Adam Unger, Thomas Samuel Blight, Tereza UngerovÁ
Sustainable Dwellings Built from Earth Materials with Integrated Greywater Systems

Project in-detail

Utilizing earth materials and advanced greywater systems, the design creates a series of sustainable homes that integrate with the arid landscape while fostering a strong sense of community.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes innovative greywater recycling systems for sustainable irrigation.
02
Incorporates a modular design allowing for adaptability to diverse plots.
03
Employs earth materials for thermal regulation, reducing energy needs.
04
Features a bent A-frame structure that enhances wind resistance.
05
Integrates local climatic elements in passive cooling strategies.

### Project Overview
"Vernacular Tectonics" is a housing initiative located in a desert community, designed to integrate individual residences into a cohesive urban framework. This project addresses climate adaptation challenges while promoting sustainable living in arid environments. By engaging with local cultural heritage and modern technologies, the design establishes a distinctive architectural character that reflects contemporary living standards.

### Spatial Integration and Community Dynamics
The layout is conceived as a master plan where each dwelling functions as a component of a larger community network. This approach promotes sustainability and encourages social interaction among residents. The architectural design incorporates innovative greywater management systems, facilitating water reuse for shared green spaces. Solar energy solutions are embedded throughout the design to optimize resource efficiency and enhance climate adaptability.

### Material Selection and Climate Responsiveness
The structural integrity of the homes is primarily achieved through durable concrete, which provides thermal insulation necessary for extreme temperature fluctuations. Traditional materials such as mud, brick, and clay are employed to connect the design to regional construction practices while offering passive thermal regulation.

Attention to climatic conditions is evident in the thoughtful arrangement of materials and building orientation. Features such as shading devices and strategic ventilation contribute to cooling, reducing reliance on mechanical systems. Advanced construction methods, including 3D printing and robotic fabrication, are utilized to enhance precision and efficiency, resulting in unique patterns and textures on the facades that also promote passive cooling.

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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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