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Sustainable Family Residence Featuring Concrete and Glass Integration With Thermal Mass Design

Authors:
Darlington Oluebube Okafor, Juwon Tosin Alade Toyinbo
Sustainable Family Residence Featuring Concrete and Glass Integration With Thermal Mass Design

Project in-detail

Combining concrete's durability with expansive glass surfaces for natural light, this residential villa emphasizes thermal mass and open layouts to create a functional family living environment in Dubai's Jebel Ali area.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes concrete for thermal mass to enhance energy efficiency in a desert climate.
02
Incorporates extensive glass for natural light, creating seamless indoor-outdoor connections.
03
Features a service block to maintain the privacy and organization of living spaces.
04
Includes balconies for each upper-level bedroom, promoting outdoor relaxation.
05
Employs a minimalistic facade with a combination of geometries for visual interest.

### Overview
Located in the Jebel Ali area of Dubai, the Jebel Ali Hills residential villa is part of an affluent modern development designed in collaboration with Meras. The intent of this project is to create a residential environment that integrates contemporary architectural principles with the unique demands of the desert climate, emphasizing sustainability and user comfort.

### Architectural Strategy
The design of the villa prioritizes environmental considerations, such as heat mitigation through the application of white exterior paint to reflect sunlight. The building orientation is strategically arranged to optimize natural ventilation and capture views of the surrounding landscape. Thoughtful spatial organization includes open-plan living and dining areas on the ground floor, separated from utility zones, while the upper floor accommodates master suites with private balconies, enhancing residential luxury.

#### Material Application
The villa employs a deliberate selection of materials to enhance durability and aesthetic appeal. Concrete serves as the primary structural component for its resilience and fire safety, complemented by steel and glass elements that facilitate light and airflow within the interior. Wooden accents provide warmth to the spaces, balancing modernity with a sense of comfort. The façade features a contemporary design with geometric forms and decorative paneling, ensuring visual interest while maintaining residents' privacy.

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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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