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Wind-Catchers and Light-Colored Stone Create a Sustainable Workspace Oasis

Authors:
Lizendra Thomas Pinto, Neha Yoosuf Karakkandathil Pulikkandy Yoosuf
Wind-Catchers and Light-Colored Stone Create a Sustainable Workspace Oasis

Project in-detail

Incorporating wind-catchers and a façade of light-colored stone, the design creates a climate-responsive workspace that harmonizes with local cultural elements while promoting community collaboration.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes traditional wind-catchers for natural ventilation.
02
Incorporates a central courtyard inspired by palm fronds.
03
Features a façade of light-colored stone to enhance thermal performance.
04
Employs ecological pavers to promote water drainage.
05
Combines flexible workspaces with intimate gathering areas.

The Palm Pavilion is an architectural project located in Al Sufouh, Dubai, designed to address both environmental and community needs through its innovative form and function. It serves as a multifunctional workspace that encourages collaboration and creativity among its users. The design is inspired by the date palm, a prominent cultural symbol in the region that signifies resilience and sustainability. This project demonstrates a keen understanding of local context, integrating cultural elements while utilizing modern materials and technologies.

The Pavilion’s layout is organized around a central courtyard, creating a natural gathering space that encourages social interaction. The structure features open and flexible workspaces, combined with quieter areas designed for focused activities. This integration of communal and private spaces reflects a comprehensive approach to modern workspace design, facilitating both collaboration and individual productivity.

Sustainable design is a key element in The Palm Pavilion. The use of wind-catchers for natural ventilation exemplifies the project’s commitment to climate-responsive architecture. These architectural features capture breezes, cooling the interior spaces without relying on mechanical systems. The incorporation of rainwater harvesting systems further underscores the Pavilion’s sustainable ethos, allowing for efficient water management. Additionally, the light-colored stone façade and carefully oriented shading devices serve to minimize heat gain while maximizing natural light, creating a conducive environment for its occupants.

One distinguishing aspect of The Palm Pavilion is its thoughtful integration of traditional forms within a contemporary context. The arched openings in the façade echo the region's architectural heritage while providing structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. This blending of cultural references with modern architectural techniques creates a unique identity for the Pavilion. The choice of materials—such as reinforced concrete, ecological pavers, and wood finishes—reflects local resources and climate considerations, ensuring the overall sustainability of the design.

The architectural plans and sections of The Palm Pavilion detail its innovative use of space and materials, illustrating how each element contributes to the project’s overarching goals of community engagement and environmental responsibility. The architectural design emphasizes the relevance of cultural symbolism, responding to the area’s historical context while looking forward to modern functionality and sustainability.

For those interested in exploring the various architectural ideas present within The Palm Pavilion, it is recommended to examine the project's architectural plans and sections for a deeper understanding of its unique contributions to contemporary architecture in Dubai. The careful consideration of design, materiality, and cultural relevance makes this project a noteworthy example of functional and contextual architecture.

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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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