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Thermal Brick Enclosure with Natural Wood Accents for Private Family Living

Thermal Brick Enclosure with Natural Wood Accents for Private Family Living
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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.

### Overview
Element-al House is situated in the United Arab Emirates, where it draws inspiration from traditional residential architecture while addressing contemporary living needs. The design emphasizes privacy and communal living, integrating modern construction techniques with cultural heritage. A modular framework underpins the project’s sustainability goals and facilitates adaptable living spaces tailored to individual requirements.

### Spatial Organization
The architectural layout features a thoughtful arrangement of three distinct service blocks that serve to delineate various zones within the residence. Public spaces are centered around an entry courtyard, fostering a welcoming atmosphere that leads to essential areas such as parking and main entrances. Adjacent semi-private spaces, including dining and living rooms, encourage social interaction among guests and family while maintaining necessary privacy. Private quarters are strategically placed to promote intimate family engagements, with bedrooms located thoughtfully to ensure tranquility. The design complies with local regulations, retaining a three-meter setback from property boundaries to uphold privacy, complemented by controlled window openings.

### Material Selection
Material choices are integral to achieving both the aesthetic and sustainable objectives of the house. The primary structural element is concrete, which provides durability and stability, while wood is incorporated in interior finishes and flooring to introduce warmth and character. Strategic placement of glass allows for natural light penetration without compromising privacy, and brick offers thermal mass benefits that assist in passive climate control. Metal is utilized for shading devices, enhancing both functionality and visual appeal. This careful selection of materials exemplifies a sustainable and culturally sensitive approach to design that harmonizes with the local environment.

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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.

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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

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Eligibility Open to all
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