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Sustainable Living Through Mud Brick and Perforated Concrete in a Climate-Responsive Design

Authors:
Amir Saman Gholami Shamami, Mohammad Taghi Alavi
Sustainable Living Through Mud Brick and Perforated Concrete in a Climate-Responsive Design

Project in-detail

Incorporating mud brick and perforated concrete, the design emphasizes passive cooling and thermal regulation while fostering communal engagement in a residential setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes mud brick for natural thermal regulation.
02
Features perforated concrete for enhanced ventilation and light.
03
Incorporates a central courtyard designed for communal activities.
04
Integrates high ceilings to optimize air circulation in a hot climate.
05
Employs traditional Mashrabiyah elements for privacy and airflow.

## Overview
"Past, Present, Future" integrates traditional architectural elements with contemporary design strategies, focusing on sustainable living suited to the Gulf region. The project draws from historical precedents while addressing the unique environmental challenges and cultural context of the area. The design fosters a relationship between past architectural practices and future sustainability goals, reflecting an understanding of regional climatic and social dynamics.

## Spatial Arrangement and Planning Strategies
The site plan features a series of thoughtfully arranged structures centered around a courtyard, which encourages communal interactions and enhances natural ventilation. High ceilings and open-air entrances facilitate air circulation and create a connection with the surroundings. Traditional elements such as the *Mashrabiyah* are reimagined to improve privacy and cross-ventilation while incorporating modern adaptations to suit contemporary living.

## Materiality and Sustainability
Material selection balances sustainability and functionality. Utilizing mud brick provides thermal regulation, while perforated brick enhances ventilation and light infiltration. Key features include gypsum board for interior finishes, stone walls which mitigate ground humidity, and awning windows that control light penetration and facilitate airflow. The integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, reaffirms the project's commitment to environmentally sensitive design solutions.

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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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