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Triangular Lodges With Natural Skylights in Desert Eco Park

Authors:
Yvo Ruiters, Willem Stevense
Triangular Lodges With Natural Skylights in Desert Eco Park

Project in-detail

Equilateral triangular forms integrate with the landscape, offering raised terraces and skylights that enhance the connection to the desert environment while providing comfortable lodging for guests.
5 key facts about this project
01
Equilateral triangular design enhances structural stability and aesthetic harmony in the desert.
02
Central hub connects eco park amenities and promotes community interaction among guests.
03
Lodges feature raised terraces to reduce sand accumulation and enhance guest comfort.
04
Skylights in bathrooms provide natural light and views of the night sky for a unique experience.
05
Sustainable systems include autonomous water management and solar energy integration.

The design of ecolodges in the dunes of Abu Dhabi explores how architecture can work with a challenging natural landscape. The goal is to create a space that balances comfort and safety while allowing guests to experience the wilderness. The design uses mathematical patterns and geometric shapes to immerse visitors in their surroundings, all while providing essential amenities for a sustainable lodging experience.

Geometric Structure

At the heart of the design is the use of equilateral triangles. This shape offers strength and flexibility, allowing the lodges to withstand the harsh conditions of the desert. The triangular forms create a sense of continuity with the environment, inspired by traditional patterns found in local culture. This choice of geometry not only reinforces the structure but also enhances the look of the buildings in their natural setting.

Landscape Integration

The layout of the eco park follows a star pattern of triangles, with a central common hub as the main focus. Lodges radiate out from this hub, placed to provide each guest with unique views of the desert. A maximum walking distance of 100 meters ensures easy movement between the lodges and the hub, promoting a sense of community while maintaining individual privacy for guests. The design effectively blends the architecture with the landscape.

Lodge Configuration

Each lodge is designed in the shape of an equilateral triangle, measuring 17.5 meters on each side. The raised terraces at the entrances help prevent sand accumulation. Inside, the open layouts provide uninterrupted views of the desert. Bathrooms are designed to include skylights for natural light and the chance to stargaze. Large sliding doors enhance the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, promoting a closer relationship with the environment.

Sustainability Practices

The design emphasizes sustainability, featuring autonomous water and sewage systems that require little maintenance. Energy efficiency is a priority, with solar panels included to support the lodges' energy needs. The ability for lodges to be dismantled and relocated also reflects a commitment to environmental responsibility. This adaptability allows the project to respond to changes in its landscape over time.

The common hub is a central, open space that combines four triangular sections, creating a flowing environment with varied floor and ceiling heights. A large terrace extends from the restaurant area, encouraging outdoor activities and interaction. The rooftop terrace provides seating arranged for enjoying the desert's nighttime sky. These thoughtful design details enhance the guest experience, immersing them in the beauty of their surroundings.

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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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