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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.
Jebel Ali Hills is a residential project located in the Jebel Ali area of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This project is designed to meet the demands of contemporary living while integrating with its natural surroundings. The villa features a seamless blend of modern architectural aesthetics and functional spaces, ensuring a comfortable living environment for its inhabitants.

The design emphasizes sustainability, with solutions that respond to the region's climate. The villa's orientation and use of reflective materials are essential components in reducing heat absorption. It also fosters outdoor connectivity, generating a harmonious relationship between the indoor and outdoor areas.

Unique Architectural Approaches

This villa distinguishes itself from typical residential designs in several key aspects. The facade combines vertical and horizontal elements, creating a visually engaging form that diverges from conventional box-like structures. The use of concrete as a primary material not only ensures structural integrity but also provides thermal mass, which is beneficial in regulating indoor temperatures. Glass is extensively utilized to maximize natural light, while strategically placed wood accents offer warmth and texture, enhancing the overall aesthetic.

An open-plan layout on the ground floor supports fluid movement between living, dining, and service areas, which are designed to accommodate everyday activities and gatherings. This configuration is coupled with thoughtful space planning that includes private areas such as guest rooms and a service block, maintaining separation between communal and private functions.

Interior spaces are furnished with modern amenities while preserving a sense of minimalism. The use of large windows allows for ample sunlight, creating an expansive feel inside the home. Balconies connected to the upper-level bedrooms provide outdoor spaces for relaxation, further integrating the living experience with nature.

Functional Design Elements

The project’s design pays careful attention to functionality in its allocation of space across two levels. The lower floor focuses on communal areas, incorporating features such as a spacious living room and a contemporary kitchen equipped with state-of-the-art appliances. The positioning of utility areas, including laundry and storage, ensures efficient daily operations.

On the first floor, the master suite and additional bedrooms are designed as private retreats, each with ensuite bathrooms and dressing areas. This layout promotes comfort and privacy, catering to family needs while enhancing residential enjoyment.

The incorporation of landscaping around the villa further adds to the overall environmental integration. Mature trees and indigenous plantings create a natural buffer and promote biodiversity.

Gaining insights into the architectural plans, sections, and overall designs of the Jebel Ali Hills residential villa will provide a deeper understanding of this project. The unique architectural ideas embedded in its design contribute significantly to the residential experience. Explore the project presentation for more information.
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MICROHOME
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100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
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Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

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
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
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