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Wind Towers and Natural Materials Embrace Climate in a Sustainable Family Villa

Authors:
Obaid Salim Obaid Salim Obaid Alsuwaidi, Mansoor Jaber Abdulla Mohammad Alharbi
Wind Towers and Natural Materials Embrace Climate in a Sustainable Family Villa

Project in-detail

Incorporating traditional wind towers and sustainable adobe, the villa maximizes natural cooling while providing a flexible family living environment in Ajman.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates traditional wind towers for passive cooling.
02
Utilizes adobe for enhanced thermal mass and energy efficiency.
03
Features a central courtyard for improved natural ventilation.
04
Design allows for future adaptability to changing family needs.
05
Integrates native landscaping to support local biodiversity.

## Project Overview
Located in Ajman, United Arab Emirates, the House of the Future occupies a 450-square-meter plot with a total floor area of 400 square meters. The design draws on traditional Emirati architectural principles while incorporating modern elements to meet contemporary needs. The structure is planned with adaptability in mind, facilitating future modifications to accommodate a growing family.

## Cultural Integration and Adaptability
The design synthesizes traditional Emirati features, such as courtyards and wind towers, with modern functional requirements, effectively preserving cultural heritage while addressing the needs of present-day families. The spatial arrangement is intentionally flexible, allowing for future expansions without compromising the integrity of the overall design. Sustainable elements are prioritized throughout, including passive cooling techniques and natural landscaping that aligns with the region's climatic context.

## Materiality and Construction
Material selection is integral to achieving both aesthetic appeal and functional performance. Fired clay (adobe) is used for thermal mass, regulating indoor temperatures, while large glass windows and sliding doors maximize natural light and visual connectivity to the outdoors. Operable wood panels provide privacy and shading, complementing robust concrete structural elements that ensure durability. Additionally, decorative stone adds natural texture to the landscape, while thoughtfully chosen textiles enhance interior comfort in alignment with local design traditions.

Overall, a central courtyard serves as a focal point, promoting natural ventilation and outdoor connectivity, while the open-plan layout of living areas enriches the spatial experience. Bedrooms on the first floor are strategically placed to provide privacy yet maintain access to the central courtyard, ensuring a harmonious relationship with nature. The incorporation of passive evaporative cooling strategies and native plant landscaping further supports environmental sustainability, reflecting a commitment to responsible architectural practices.

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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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