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Triangular Canopy and Limestone Facade in a Family-Centered Residence

Author:
Eyad Abdulaziz Muteb
Triangular Canopy and Limestone Facade in a Family-Centered Residence

Project in-detail

The angular canopy and expansive glass facades of the residence create a modern interpretation of traditional Emirati living, centered around a private courtyard designed to foster family interactions.
5 key facts about this project
01
The residence incorporates a triangular canopy that enhances shading and natural ventilation.
02
Large glass panels are utilized to create a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
03
The design features a central courtyard that promotes family interaction and privacy.
04
Sustainability is emphasized through provisions for rainwater harvesting and solar panel integration.
05
Traditional Emirati architectural elements are integrated with modern design to reflect cultural heritage.

**Overview**

Located in Dubai, UAE, the design project reflects a synthesis of modern aesthetics and traditional Emirati architectural elements, aiming to address the contemporary living needs of families while honoring cultural heritage. The configuration organizes the residence into three distinct zones: a guest block, a family block, and a service block, all centered around an Arabian-style courtyard. This U-shaped arrangement facilitates social interaction and community engagement while providing necessary privacy from external environments.

**Spatial Layout and User Experience**

The ground floor features a semi-private front yard that connects seamlessly to the central courtyard, providing access to both the guest and family zones. The guest block is designed for hospitality, offering a comfortable space for visitors, while the family block encompasses living areas and bedrooms intended to foster warmth and connection among family members. The first floor maintains this thoughtful design approach, incorporating balconies and open living spaces that encourage visibility and interaction while ensuring privacy.

**Materiality and Sustainability Initiatives**

The design employs a diverse palette of materials chosen for both their aesthetic and functional attributes. Locally sourced limestone serves as the primary exterior finish, enhancing reflective properties to mitigate heat gain. Large glass panels are integrated into the facade to maximize natural light and create a visual continuum between indoor and outdoor spaces. The roofing features an innovative canopy for shading, contributing to climate adaptation strategies. Furthermore, the project incorporates sustainable initiatives such as strategically placed openings for natural ventilation, planned solar panels for energy efficiency, and a rainwater harvesting system, all reinforcing an eco-conscious approach to contemporary living. The predominantly white color scheme not only echoes cultural values but also facilitates interior climate control.

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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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