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Sustainable Living Featuring Chukum Walls and Tzalam Wood Elements in a Yucatán Micro Home

Author:
Claudia Estivaliz Suarez Ahedo
Sustainable Living Featuring Chukum Walls and Tzalam Wood Elements in a Yucatán Micro Home

Project in-detail

Built with locally sourced Chukum walls and Tzalam wood, this micro home in Yucatán emphasizes sustainability and community, creating an efficient living space that connects residents with their natural environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted with sustainable Chukum, the walls provide natural insulation and moisture resistance.
02
Tzalam wood is utilized for structural elements, promoting regional material use and craftsmanship.
03
The open pavilion layout maximizes cross-ventilation, reducing energy consumption.
04
Curved ceilings enhance the sense of space and facilitate natural light flow.
05
Designed to integrate with a community-focused layout, fostering social interaction among residents.

Casa Nah Lik’ is a micro home located in Yucatán, Mexico, designed to harmonize with its natural surroundings. This architectural project emphasizes sustainability and local traditions, creating a small yet functional living space. The design focuses on fostering a strong connection to the environment while promoting efficient use of space.

The primary architectural concept revolves around a pavilion layout, allowing for open and flexible living spaces that blend indoors and outdoors. The integration of large windows and wooden shutters invites natural light and encourages airflow, enhancing the overall livability of the home. This design approach not only maximizes the utility of limited square footage but also highlights the project's commitment to sustainability by minimizing reliance on artificial heating and cooling systems.

Local Materiality and Aesthetics

A distinctive feature of Casa Nah Lik’ is its use of local materials, which directly ties the architecture to the region's cultural heritage. The structure primarily employs Tzalam wood for shutters and furniture, recognized for its durability and aesthetic character. The polished concrete flooring ensures minimal maintenance while providing a modern touch. Additionally, Chukum, a traditional Mayan material, is utilized for waterproofing and wall finishes, enhancing the home’s visual texture and structural integrity. This careful selection of materials not only reflects regional traditions but also promotes sustainable living practices.

Functional Layout and Unique Design Approaches

The architectural design of Casa Nah Lik’ prioritizes functionality through its well-organized floor plan. The open-concept living area melds seamlessly with the kitchen and dining spaces, promoting interaction among residents. The bedroom is intentionally designed as a semi-private retreat, ensuring comfort while maintaining airflow and natural light.

One notable design innovation is the incorporation of community-oriented elements. The project envisions a cluster of micro homes arranged to foster social connections among residents. This layout includes communal green spaces and informal gathering areas, encouraging a vibrant community lifestyle. The commitment to natural ventilation and the potential integration of solar energy solutions further emphasize a holistic approach to sustainable design.

For those interested in a deeper understanding of the architectural approach taken in Casa Nah Lik’, further exploration of the architectural plans, sections, and designs is encouraged. These elements provide comprehensive insights into the project's innovative ideas and technical attributes. Engaging with these details will reveal the thoughtful methodology and design strategies that characterize this unique architectural endeavor.

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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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