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Sustainable Living Enveloped in Fiber-Cement Walls and Patterned Screens

Authors:
Mohammed Mohyeldeen Abdelhamed Elgamal, Gaser Awad Said Mohamed, Abdelrazak Abdelhalim Abdelrazak Fares, Mohamed Magdy Hamdy Aly
Sustainable Living Enveloped in Fiber-Cement Walls and Patterned Screens

Project in-detail

Enveloped in patterned screens and fiber-cement walls, the design seamlessly integrates sustainable materials to create a functional living space that fosters community interaction and environmental harmony.
5 key facts about this project
01
Enclosed courtyard enhances natural ventilation and daylighting throughout the residence.
02
Patterned screens on the façade create dynamic shadow patterns while optimizing privacy.
03
Sustainable materials include locally sourced fiber-cement and pressure-treated timber.
04
The design incorporates extensive landscaping to blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor.
05
Energy-efficient solutions include integrated solar panels for reduced reliance on external power sources.

### Overview

Located within a traditional architectural landscape, the "Within the Garden" project integrates contemporary living spaces with an emphasis on sustainability, light, air, and social interactions among occupants. Central to the design is a central courtyard that promotes communal activity, offers visual connections to the surrounding greenery, and maximizes natural daylight and airflow. Drawing influence from regional vernacular architecture, the layout fosters an environment conducive to both community engagement and privacy through strategic zoning of spaces.

### Spatial Configuration and User Experience

The spatial arrangement comprises two distinct wings: one dedicated to communal areas, including a kitchen and dining spaces, and another for private quarters such as bedrooms. This organization not only facilitates privacy but also allows for fluid movement and interaction among family members. The central courtyard acts as a focal point, enhancing cross-ventilation and creating a comfortable microclimate. The design prioritizes flexible spaces that adapt to family dynamics, encouraging social gatherings and daily interactions.

### Material Selection and Environmental Strategies

Material choices are pivotal to the project's sustainability objectives. Pressure-treated timber provides structural integrity and shade, while fiber-cement boards ensure durability in external and internal finishes. Solar panels are integrated to promote renewable energy use and reduce dependency on conventional power sources. The extensive use of glass in the façade enriches visual connections between indoor and outdoor environments. Furthermore, the architectural form harnesses natural breezes and incorporates sun-shading devices to minimize heat accumulation, addressing the region's climate challenges effectively. These strategic decisions create an aesthetic interplay between modern design and traditional influences, yielding a harmonious and contextually relevant residential experience.

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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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