Florabelle Caloy 
Incorporating traditional windcatchers and locally sourced sandstone, the design optimizes passive cooling strategies to create a sustainable living space tailored for the desert environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates traditional windcatchers for natural ventilation.
02
Features a central courtyard that enhances airflow and light.
03
Utilizes locally sourced sandstone to maintain environmental harmony.
04
Includes bioretention basins for efficient water management.
05
Integrates vertical gardens to improve indoor air quality.
General keywords
The project "House of the Future - Oasis of the Past" presents an innovative architectural response to environmental and cultural challenges in the UAE. This residential structure effectively incorporates eco-sustainable practices alongside elements deeply rooted in Emirati architectural heritage. The design emphasizes a functionally efficient layout while promoting comfort and community engagement within its spatial configuration.
Spatial Layout and Functionality
The design features an organized rectangular footprint of 122 meters by 122 meters, maximizing site efficiency. The central courtyard acts as the focal point, linking public and private areas within the home. Residential spaces, including living rooms and bedrooms, are strategically arranged around this courtyard to optimize natural light and airflow, reducing reliance on artificial lighting and mechanical cooling systems.
Critical to the design are distinct zones for social interaction and privacy. The arrangement fosters collaboration among inhabitants while maintaining personal spaces without compromising comfort. The incorporation of vertical gardens and landscaped pockets near bathrooms enriches the courtyard experience, enhancing quality of living while bolstering the local ecosystem.
Sustainable Strategies and Materials
The project integrates unique design approaches aimed at sustainability, setting it apart from standard residential designs. Central to this strategy is the reimagined windcatcher, a traditional cooling element harnessing natural winds. This architectural feature directs airflow into the home, providing passive cooling and enhancing the comfort of indoor environments. In addition to this, stack ventilation techniques further improve indoor air quality, allowing warm air to escape while drawing fresh air in.
The use of locally sourced materials reinforces the link between the house and its context. Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) blocks serve as the primary structural element, offering lightweight characteristics and thermal insulation. Sandstone, Rockwool insulation, and bioretention basins further contribute to the building's energy efficiency and ecological balance. The incorporation of solar roof tiles supports energy generation, cementing the project’s commitment to self-sufficiency.
Community and Environmental Integration
This architectural design actively integrates with its surrounding environment, balancing built and natural landscapes. The project enhances existing flora while promoting biodiversity through well-planned landscaping. The placement of pocket gardens and the central courtyard not only contribute to aesthetics but also serve functional purposes, such as graywater recycling for irrigation.
These approaches exemplify a coherent linkage of architecture to environmental considerations, facilitating a sustainable lifestyle for future inhabitants. The project addresses both contemporary needs and traditional values, ensuring a harmonious coexistence within the desert landscape.
To gain deeper insights into the project, including architectural plans, architectural designs, and architectural sections, readers are encouraged to explore the complete presentation of this unique residential development.
Spatial Layout and Functionality
The design features an organized rectangular footprint of 122 meters by 122 meters, maximizing site efficiency. The central courtyard acts as the focal point, linking public and private areas within the home. Residential spaces, including living rooms and bedrooms, are strategically arranged around this courtyard to optimize natural light and airflow, reducing reliance on artificial lighting and mechanical cooling systems.
Critical to the design are distinct zones for social interaction and privacy. The arrangement fosters collaboration among inhabitants while maintaining personal spaces without compromising comfort. The incorporation of vertical gardens and landscaped pockets near bathrooms enriches the courtyard experience, enhancing quality of living while bolstering the local ecosystem.
Sustainable Strategies and Materials
The project integrates unique design approaches aimed at sustainability, setting it apart from standard residential designs. Central to this strategy is the reimagined windcatcher, a traditional cooling element harnessing natural winds. This architectural feature directs airflow into the home, providing passive cooling and enhancing the comfort of indoor environments. In addition to this, stack ventilation techniques further improve indoor air quality, allowing warm air to escape while drawing fresh air in.
The use of locally sourced materials reinforces the link between the house and its context. Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) blocks serve as the primary structural element, offering lightweight characteristics and thermal insulation. Sandstone, Rockwool insulation, and bioretention basins further contribute to the building's energy efficiency and ecological balance. The incorporation of solar roof tiles supports energy generation, cementing the project’s commitment to self-sufficiency.
Community and Environmental Integration
This architectural design actively integrates with its surrounding environment, balancing built and natural landscapes. The project enhances existing flora while promoting biodiversity through well-planned landscaping. The placement of pocket gardens and the central courtyard not only contribute to aesthetics but also serve functional purposes, such as graywater recycling for irrigation.
These approaches exemplify a coherent linkage of architecture to environmental considerations, facilitating a sustainable lifestyle for future inhabitants. The project addresses both contemporary needs and traditional values, ensuring a harmonious coexistence within the desert landscape.
To gain deeper insights into the project, including architectural plans, architectural designs, and architectural sections, readers are encouraged to explore the complete presentation of this unique residential development.
