Get inspired!

17,203 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

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.
The architectural project “Age of Fusion,” situated in Dubai, reinvents the traditional Emirati home while embracing contemporary design principles. This project represents a synthesis of heritage and modernity, aiming to create functional living spaces that cater to the evolving needs of residents. The design encapsulates cultural identity while integrating advanced sustainable strategies to address environmental and social challenges commonly faced in urban settings.

Unique Cultural Integration

A distinguishing feature of this project is its approach to cultural integration. The design employs traditional motifs adapted for modern use, allowing for the preservation of Emirati heritage within a contemporary framework. Elements such as perforated facades enhance aesthetic value and provide passive cooling while remaining rooted in cultural practices. This blend not only respects historical architecture but also reinterprets it for today’s lifestyles.

The layout incorporates a central courtyard, a hallmark of traditional Emirati homes, fostering communal interactions while ensuring privacy. Wind towers, inspired by traditional Barjeel architecture, are integrated into the design to improve natural ventilation, significantly reducing reliance on mechanical cooling.

Innovative Sustainable Practices

Sustainability is a core principle guiding this architectural project. By integrating green roofs and vegetation, the design enhances ecological performance, supporting local biodiversity while offering thermal insulation. The choice of durable materials, such as sandstone and limestone, not only evokes local aesthetics but also underscores the project’s commitment to sustainable resource management.

Modular construction techniques facilitate adaptability, allowing spaces to evolve with the occupants’ needs over time. This flexible approach addresses the challenges of urban density, creating dwellings that can be easily modified or expanded in the future.

Explore the architectural plans, sections, and overall designs to gain further insights into the intricate details and innovative ideas embedded in this project. The comprehensive presentation illustrates how architectural design can effectively merge tradition and modernity while promoting sustainability in an urban context.
Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #2
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

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
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,203 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy