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Thermal Insulation Through Precast Concrete and Natural Wood Elements in a Modern Family Residence

Authors:
Remy Sfeir, Mario Al Alam, Jinane Bteich
Thermal Insulation Through Precast Concrete and Natural Wood Elements in a Modern Family Residence

Project in-detail

Utilizing precast concrete for thermal efficiency and natural wood finishes for aesthetic warmth, the design embodies sustainability while offering a functional family residence in a challenging climate.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates precast concrete panels for enhanced thermal performance.
02
Utilizes musharabiyya screens for privacy and passive cooling.
03
Features a central courtyard to promote ventilation and family interaction.
04
Employs locally sourced materials to support regional sustainability.
05
Integrates large glazed openings to connect indoor and outdoor spaces.

### Overview
The "O" House is situated in the arid climate of the Emirates, designed to reflect modern Emirati living while emphasizing cultural context and sustainability. The intent of the design is to provide a functional residence for a family that integrates greenery, enhancing both privacy and comfort while remaining aligned with local lifestyle practices.

### Spatial Organization and User Interaction
The architectural layout prioritizes privacy through a carefully zoned arrangement of spaces, dividing the house into distinct private, semi-private, and public areas to facilitate a logical flow of movement. A central inner courtyard serves as a communal gathering space, encouraging outdoor activity and improving ventilation, while also visually extending the surrounding landscape into the living area. Furthermore, the incorporation of large glazed openings fosters a connection between interior and exterior spaces, optimizing natural light and promoting cross-ventilation.

### Material Specification and Sustainability
Precast concrete is the primary construction material, chosen for its efficiency in construction, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. The design employs precast concrete panels with a continuous insulation layer that enhances thermal regulation and reduces energy consumption. Decorative musharabiyya elements facilitate passive cooling and privacy, while extensive glazing not only enriches the aesthetic quality but also strengthens the relationship between indoor and outdoor environments. Furthermore, local sourcing of materials minimizes transportation emissions, supporting both environmental sustainability and local economies. The design also focuses on energy efficiency, leveraging thermal insulation and proper ventilation to reduce life-cycle costs and resource consumption.

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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
competition now

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