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Textile Facade Anchored by Concrete Core Supporting Community Spaces

Authors:
Merlin Augele, Valerian Althammer
Textile Facade Anchored by Concrete Core Supporting Community Spaces

Project in-detail

A triangular grid of steel cables forms a textile facade that works in conjunction with a concrete core to create a multifunctional tower, offering residential units, commercial spaces, and community facilities within an environmentally responsive framework.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes a textile facade made of a triangular grid of steel cables.
02
Incorporates a central concrete core for structural support and thermal efficiency.
03
Employs thermal air displacement for effective natural cooling.
04
Includes a public terrace designed to enhance community interaction.
05
Features mixed-use spaces combining residential and commercial functions.

Burj Aldawaran is a multifunctional tower situated in an area experiencing rapid urban growth. It includes apartments, community spaces, commercial areas, and a street market. The design addresses the challenges posed by urban heat and pollution. By drawing inspiration from traditional Middle Eastern wind towers, the building aims to improve living conditions through natural cooling methods, reducing the need for energy consumption.

Design Structure

The main framework features a concrete core that rises to a height of 100 meters. This core provides the structural support for the building, housing wooden floor slabs within its confines. The design allows for efficient vertical circulation and creates a well-organized spatial layout.



Secondary Facade

An outer textile façade is constructed on a triangular grid made of steel cables. This façade connects the concrete core at the top to a series of columns at the base. Central tension cables link each floor slab, promoting interaction between the indoor and outdoor environments and providing an open feeling to the structure.



Passive Ventilation Strategy

Burj Aldawaran utilizes thermal air displacement to facilitate natural ventilation. As air moves between the secondary facade and the core, it creates a low-pressure area below the building. This airflow mechanism helps cool the interior spaces and works to improve the microclimate in the surrounding urban area.



Community Integration

The tower contains 23 residential units along with four levels designed for commercial use. A public terrace on the fifth floor offers cafés and restaurants, which encourages social interactions and connects the community within the urban space. This mixed-use design creates a lively atmosphere and enhances the everyday experiences of residents and visitors alike.



At the base of the building, the combination of structural elements and façade systems provides both shade and visual interest while addressing sustainability goals.

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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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