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Wind Towers and Perforated Facades in a Sustainable Courtyard Home

Authors:
Mark Oswald Arrigo, Miriam Casillas Luna, Nicole Tabone
Wind Towers and Perforated Facades in a Sustainable Courtyard Home

Project in-detail

Incorporating wind towers and perforated facades, the design seamlessly integrates traditional Emirati elements with contemporary materials to create a sustainable courtyard home.
5 key facts about this project
01
Integrates traditional Barjeel wind towers for natural ventilation.
02
Utilizes perforated facades to control light and reduce heat gain.
03
Incorporates a central courtyard to enhance community interaction.
04
Constructed with locally sourced sandstone and limestone for sustainability.
05
Features modular design for flexibility and future expansion capabilities.

### Project Overview

Located in Dubai, "Age of Fusion" merges traditional Emirati architectural elements with contemporary design principles to enhance residential living. This initiative preserves historical influences while integrating modern functionality, addressing the evolving urban landscape and the community's needs. The design seeks to provide a sustainable and efficient living environment, reflecting both cultural heritage and innovative solutions.

### Spatial Organization and User Experience

The open layout prioritizes versatility, accommodating both communal interactions and private moments. A central courtyard serves as a multifunctional space that fosters social engagement while ensuring privacy. Wind towers, inspired by traditional Barjeel structures, enhance passive cooling and natural ventilation, exemplifying a sustainable approach to climate adaptation. Additionally, a designated Family Majlis reflects cultural traditions, connecting indoor spaces with adjacent outdoor areas and reinforcing community ties.

### Materials and Sustainability

The selection of materials aims to uphold local traditions while optimizing environmental performance. Conventional concrete ensures structural integrity, while sandstone and limestone are strategically used for their aesthetic appeal and minimal transportation impacts. Perforated facades facilitate light entry and ventilation, while integrated green roofs and landscaping enhance insulation and promote biodiversity. Construction methods combine prefabrication with local craftsmanship, enabling efficient site assembly without compromising design authenticity. The project incorporates renewable energy systems, rainwater harvesting, and energy-efficient technologies, establishing a standard for zero-energy residences in urban environments.

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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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