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Sustainable Living Through Ramel Bricks and Dateform in Modern Residential Design

Authors:
Ayesha Mohammed Saif Khamis Almarri, Insha Samin Sameer Mangat, Anjana Binu Binu
Sustainable Living Through Ramel Bricks and Dateform in Modern Residential Design

Project in-detail

Utilizing Ramel bricks and Dateform, the design intricately balances sustainable building practices with modern residential needs, creating versatile living spaces that promote privacy and community interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes locally sourced Ramel bricks to enhance sustainability and cultural relevance.
02
Incorporates Dateform, a unique recycled material from date seeds, for innovative construction.
03
Features extensive courtyards to maximize natural ventilation and light.
04
Employs large glass panels for unobstructed views and seamless indoor-outdoor transitions.
05
Design allows for flexible interior layouts to adapt to changing family needs.

### Overview
The House of the Future is located in Nad Hessa, a developing residential area of Dubai, UAE. This architectural concept integrates traditional UAE design elements with contemporary principles to create adaptable living spaces that prioritize privacy and functionality. The design is intended as a prototype to address the changing dynamics of urban living, exploring the architectural narrative of Dubai while promoting sustainable living environments through the use of locally sourced materials.

### Spatial Organization and Zoning
The spatial layout effectively delineates areas based on privacy and functionality, accommodating diverse user needs. It includes multiple options, such as a Reduced Layout on the ground floor, which optimizes essential living functions, and an Expanded Layout that maximizes the available footprint for flexible living arrangements. The design features a Reduced & Expanded Layout on the first floor, allowing for private spaces with outdoor views. External pathways enhance accessibility, fostering interaction among residents while supporting service activities.

### Materiality and Sustainability
The façade is engineered to enhance natural ventilation and minimize heat gain, critical in Dubai's climate. Frameless glass balustrades feature prominently to provide unobstructed views and blend indoor and outdoor environments. The walls are primarily composed of Ramel bricks, sourced locally for sustainability, and Dateform, an innovative material made from recycled date seeds. The project includes various sustainability measures, such as dual flush toilets, low-flow fixtures, low-maintenance landscaping, solar water heaters, and courtyard ventilation to promote natural airflow. These features collectively aim to significantly reduce energy consumption, aligning with the UAE's environmental goals.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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
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