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Thick Local Stone Walls and Multi-Level Courtyards in a Culturally Integrated Residential Community

Authors:
Amirhossein Lahouti, Shadi Bitaraf, Ziba Najafi, Mohammadaref Baranian, Vahid Kargar Laleh, Seyedeh Maryam Mahaleh Yousefi
Thick Local Stone Walls and Multi-Level Courtyards in a Culturally Integrated Residential Community

Project in-detail

Thick local stone walls and multi-level courtyards create inviting communal spaces in a culturally integrated residential development designed to enhance social interaction and adaptability.
5 key facts about this project
01
Thick porous walls made of local stone enhance thermal performance and reduce noise.
02
Multi-level courtyards promote social interaction and natural ventilation.
03
The design integrates a culturally significant Majlis as a central communal space.
04
Flexible unit configurations cater to diverse family structures and living arrangements.
05
Landscaping incorporates native plants to support local biodiversity and climate resilience.

### Overview
Located in the United Arab Emirates, the residential design "Adjacent" focuses on innovative housing models that prioritize cultural integration and social interaction in rapidly evolving urban environments. The project aims to redefine conventional residential layouts by promoting communal bonds through the reconfiguration of boundaries and public spaces, responding to the complexities of diverse cultural identities in densely populated areas.

### Spatial Strategy and Community Engagement
The design employs multi-level courtyards that facilitate natural ventilation and light, creating communal gathering areas that enhance social interaction among residents. By establishing hybrid environments that merge public and private spaces, the layout encourages interactions within the residential context. The inclusion of a Majlis, an elevated circular social hub, serves not only as a focal point but also reinforces community ties and cultural traditions. Flexible spatial arrangements allow residents to customize their living environments, fostering personalized experiences while accommodating various lifestyle needs.

### Materiality and Sustainability
The architectural approach integrates a carefully selected material palette that emphasizes both functionality and aesthetics. Local stone is utilized for thick, porous walls, providing a natural appearance and contributing to thermal regulation and sound insulation. Glass elements in façades ensure natural light enters while maintaining privacy. Concrete is employed for structural durability, and clay, a material with historical significance in Emirati construction, promotes local craftsmanship. Landscape design incorporates native flora, harmonizing with the climate and supporting local biodiversity while smooth pedestrian pathways connect various communal spaces, enhancing accessibility throughout the development.

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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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