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Water Wall System Enhances Energy Efficiency in a Modular Home

Authors:
Mohamed Elsherbeny, Ahmed Tarek, Taher Elaskary, Nourhane El-haridi
Water Wall System Enhances Energy Efficiency in a Modular Home

Project in-detail

The incorporation of a water wall system enhances thermal efficiency while using clear solar glass technology to generate energy, creating a modular home designed for sustainable living.
5 key facts about this project
01
The water wall system replaces traditional walls, enhancing energy efficiency.
02
Condensing technology allows for water collection from the air.
03
Modular design accommodates various climatic conditions effectively.
04
The floor mechanism incorporates flexible wooden tubes for structural adaptability.
05
Clear solar glass enables windows to function as energy-generating panels.

The modular home emphasizes sustainability and efficiency through advanced prefabrication techniques. Located in an area suitable for both warm and cold climates, it serves as a single-family residence designed as a standalone unit. The overall concept focuses on interconnected high-tech blocks that streamline delivery and construction, making the building process quicker and less resource-intensive.

Wind Analysis Integration

A core aspect of the design is its adaptability to various climatic conditions. The home is tailored to perform well by incorporating environmental factors such as wind speed and direction into its structure. The inspiration from the Wind Rose concept provides insight into local wind patterns, directing the orientation and layout to improve energy efficiency.

Spatial Organization

The home layout is organized into five slices based on the wind rose analysis, aiding in modular assembly while ensuring structural stability. This organization enhances transportation logistics and promotes efficient space usage. The design includes distinct functional areas, such as living spaces, bedrooms, and service zones that cater to the daily needs of its occupants.

Water Conservation Strategy

An important feature of the design is the water wall, which replaces traditional masonry with containers filled with water. This choice takes advantage of water’s higher heat capacity, contributing to improved energy efficiency. Additionally, the home uses condensing technology to extract moisture from the air, providing potable water and reducing reliance on bottled water, which helps minimize plastic waste.

Innovative Floor Mechanism

The floor mechanism employs a system similar to a hand fan, combining flexible wooden tubes with fixed iron cone shapes anchored into the ground. This design allows for a strong yet adaptable structure, ensuring stability while making assembly easier. It also enhances the building's interaction with its environment.

Integrated Solar Technology

The design includes clear solar glass technology that allows windows to function as solar panels. This dual function captures solar energy while providing natural light, contributing to a reduced energy footprint and maintaining visual openness within the home.

The combination of these design elements illustrates a modern approach to residential living that focuses on functionality and ecological responsibility. Emphasizing water walls and solar technologies highlights the connection between the built environment and the natural world, paving the way for future developments in housing design.

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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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