Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Thermal Brick Enclosure With Natural Wood Accents for Private Family Living

Author:
Damir đurović
Thermal Brick Enclosure With Natural Wood Accents for Private Family Living

Project in-detail

Employing thermal brick and natural wood accents, the design creates a careful balance of private and communal spaces, facilitating family living within a culturally relevant architectural framework.
5 key facts about this project
01
Employs thermal brick for enhanced passive cooling in a desert climate.
02
Integrates cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency and aesthetic appeal.
03
Features an open courtyard design that fosters community interaction while maintaining privacy.
04
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for durability and fire resistance.
05
Incorporates a modular layout allowing for future adaptability and expansion.

The Element-al House is a contemporary architectural project located in the United Arab Emirates, designed to blend modern living with traditional cultural values. The design emphasizes functionality, privacy, and community interaction, addressing the prevailing climatic conditions while respecting local architectural heritage. The structure employs a spatial organization that differentiates between public, semi-public, and private areas, facilitating a balance of social connection and individual autonomy.

**Spatial Organization and Functionality**

The Element-al House features a clear spatial hierarchy that organizes different functions within the home. The entryway leads into an open courtyard, establishing a welcoming atmosphere. Public spaces include a living room, dining area, and kitchen, designed for family interaction and entertaining guests. Surrounding these areas are semi-private zones that allow for social gatherings without compromising the privacy of more intimate spaces.

Private areas, including bedrooms and personal retreats, are strategically positioned to ensure tranquility. This intentional layout responds to the cultural emphasis on privacy while providing family members with spaces for solitude. The careful arrangement of these functional areas is enhanced by a series of service blocks that separate spaces visually and spatially, creating a seamless flow throughout the home.

**Materiality and Sustainability**

The design focuses on material selection to enhance both functionality and sustainability. Concrete provides structural integrity, while wood adds warmth to interior finishes. Glass is utilized for specific openings, allowing natural light to permeate the space without sacrificing privacy. Brick is integrated for its thermal mass, aiding in passive cooling, which is particularly important given the region's climate. Additionally, metal elements are employed for shading devices, mitigating harsh sun exposure while contributing to the project’s aesthetic coherence.

These materials are intricately aligned with sustainability principles, ensuring that the design remains energy-efficient and environmentally conscious. This thoughtful approach to material selection supports the overall architectural expression, creating a cohesive and harmonious living environment.

**Community-Oriented Design Approach**

A unique aspect of the Element-al House is its focus on fostering community interaction while maintaining individual privacy. The layout encourages family engagement through the incorporation of courtyards and communal spaces, where family events and gatherings can occur in private yet open settings. The design also respects local customs by featuring shaded outdoor areas, accommodating the behavioral patterns influenced by the climate.

This integration of community-centric design with private living spaces reflects a deep understanding of cultural practices in the UAE. By prioritizing social interaction and maintaining a strong sense of privacy, the Element-al House serves as a model for future residential architecture in similar climates.

Exploring the architectural plans, architectural sections, and architectural designs of the Element-al House reveals a commitment to innovative ideas that balance tradition with modernity. For a deeper understanding of the project's intent and execution, further examination of these elements is recommended.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

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.

`

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

Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #2
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy