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Wind Towers and Rammed Earth Create a Harmonious Home in an Arid Climate

Author:
Matthew James Turnbull
Wind Towers and Rammed Earth Create a Harmonious Home in an Arid Climate

Project in-detail

Utilizing wind towers and rammed earth, the design promotes natural ventilation and sustainable living while fostering a strong sense of community within its residential layout.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes wind towers for natural cooling and ventilation.
02
Constructed with rammed earth for thermal mass and insulation.
03
Features movable mashrabiya screens for light and privacy control.
04
Incorporates a central courtyard to enhance community interaction.
05
Emphasizes locally sourced materials to minimize environmental impact.

### Overview
Located in an arid climate, the House of the Future adopts a progressive approach to residential design that emphasizes adaptability, sustainability, and innovation. Drawing from the socio-cultural influences of Middle Eastern architectural practices, the project integrates contemporary aesthetics with environmental responsibility. The design aims to create spaces that cater to varied lifestyles while minimizing ecological impact.

### Spatial Organization and Environment Integration
A central courtyard serves as a focal point, enhancing community interaction and providing a natural connection between various living areas. The use of wind towers promotes natural ventilation, decreasing dependency on mechanical cooling systems and improving indoor comfort. Moveable screens allow residents to adjust light and privacy, supporting a customizable living experience. Furthermore, rooms are designed to be versatile, allowing for future expansion or reconfiguration as needs change.

### Sustainable Material Choices
The construction employs local materials that reflect regional identity and contribute to sustainability goals. Key materials include low carbon concrete for structural elements, thermal mass materials like dense bricks for temperature regulation, responsibly sourced wood in the wind towers, and biodegradable screens made from local clay. Green roofs are also integrated to enhance insulation and support local biodiversity, exemplifying a commitment to environmental stewardship.

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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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