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Thermal Mass Walls and Cultural Integration in Eco-Friendly Residential Design

Authors:
Mateusz Norbert Baranowski, Maja Magdalena Stankowska
Thermal Mass Walls and Cultural Integration in Eco-Friendly Residential Design

Project in-detail

Incorporating thermal mass walls and traditional Mashrabiya elements, this eco-friendly residence fosters natural ventilation and cultural harmony, serving as a comfortable home for family living in Dubai.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates local earth for thermal mass, enhancing indoor climate control.
02
Features traditional Mashrabiya panels for privacy and airflow.
03
Utilizes passive cooling strategies tailored to the Dubai climate.
04
Integrates flexible layouts to accommodate expanding family needs.
05
Includes strategically placed courtyards for natural light and ventilation.

### Overview
“The Breathable House” is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and is designed to respond to the specific cultural and climatic context of the region. The project integrates traditional Emirati architectural practices with contemporary design strategies to promote sustainability and enhance living environments.

### Spatial Organization
The design employs a courtyard typology that distinctly separates public and private areas, accommodating both social gatherings and family interactions. Public zones are designed for guests, while private spaces ensure comfort and intimacy for residents. This arrangement reflects cultural customs regarding privacy and hospitality, fostering a sense of community while preserving individual sanctuaries. The inclusion of courtyards further enhances the living experience by providing light, ventilation, and climatic buffers.

### Material Selection and Sustainability
The materiality of the house prioritizes sustainability and environmental integration. Key materials include locally sourced earth for walls, which provides thermal mass, and wood used in Mashrabiya panels that facilitate airflow while ensuring privacy. Glass is strategically incorporated for natural light, while stone flooring combines durability with an aesthetic that resonates with the surroundings. Textiles, such as canopies, enhance shading and cooling through natural ventilation methods. This careful selection promotes a sustainable living environment while adhering to local climatic conditions, thereby exemplifying a commitment to ecological responsibility.

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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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