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 Regulation Through Natural Plaster and Sustainable Timber in Contemporary Desert Living

Author:
Adithya David Premraj
Thermal Regulation Through Natural Plaster and Sustainable Timber in Contemporary Desert Living

Project in-detail

With its durable dome structures crafted from reinforced concrete and sustainable timber, the design harmonizes with the desert landscape while promoting community living through adaptive shared spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Dome structures enhance thermal efficiency through passive cooling.
02
Community areas are integrated into the design to promote social interaction.
03
Natural plaster finishes blend seamlessly with the desert landscape.
04
Sustainable timber is used for both structural integrity and aesthetic warmth.
05
The layout maximizes airflow and natural light while ensuring privacy.

### Project Overview
Tuwaq Palace is located in a desert region and responds to the challenges and opportunities presented by its unique environment. The design merges contemporary architecture with cultural significance, aimed at fostering a sense of community while enhancing the relationship between the inhabitants and the surrounding landscape. The proposal emphasizes the concept of "Living Cells," which encapsulates an organic approach to both form and communal living.

### Spatial Arrangement and Design Elements
The layout establishes a clear flow from individual living units to communal spaces, facilitating social interaction and accessibility. The use of dome-shaped structures serves both as a nod to traditional tent forms and as an efficient means of thermal regulation, essential for desert climates. These units are strategically placed to create "pockets of lushness," integrating with existing vegetation to respect natural flora and promote biodiversity. Central to the design is a communal gathering space that allows for both indoor and outdoor activities, reinforcing community ties while offering protection from the elements.

### Materiality and Environmental Integration
The selection of materials prioritizes sustainability and contextual relevance. Reinforced concrete provides durability in the dome structures, while sustainable timber introduces warmth to interiors. Glass is utilized to maximize natural light and visual connection to the landscape, thus reducing energy consumption. Natural finish plasters harmonize with the desert's color palette, further enhancing the project's ecological footprint. Passive cooling strategies, such as overhangs and thermal mass, are incorporated to improve indoor comfort while minimizing dependency on mechanical systems, emphasizing a commitment to ecological responsibility.

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

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

`
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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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