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Windcatcher-Enhanced Residence Featuring Local Clay Bricks and Sustainable Materials

Windcatcher-Enhanced Residence Featuring Local Clay Bricks and Sustainable Materials
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Harnessing natural airflow through a strategically designed windcatcher and incorporating locally sourced clay bricks, this residence effectively responds to Dubai's climate while providing a comfortable living space.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes a traditional windcatcher to enhance natural ventilation.
02
Incorporates clay bricks sourced from local suppliers for a lower environmental impact.
03
Features a green roof that reduces solar heat gain and promotes biodiversity.
04
Design includes large double-glazed windows for improved thermal performance.
05
Emphasizes outdoor living spaces that reflect local cultural practices.

### Overview
Located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the project, known as "House of the Future," aims to integrate sustainable living practices within a culturally rich context. This design harmonizes traditional Emirati architectural elements with contemporary technologies to create a residence that supports the needs of modern occupants while reflecting local heritage.

### Spatial Planning and Layout
The architectural layout prioritizes both private and communal areas, facilitating a balance between personal privacy and family interaction. Key design components include expansive living spaces tailored for gatherings, multiple bedrooms that encourage intimacy while allowing for social connection, and outdoor patios seamlessly linked to the interior, promoting a fluid relationship between indoor and outdoor environments.

### Sustainable Design and Materiality
Sustainability is a cornerstone of the design, employing energy-efficient technologies and passive climate-responsive strategies. Notable features include a windcatcher tower that enhances natural ventilation by drawing in cool air and expelling warm air, significantly lessening reliance on mechanical cooling. The construction utilizes durable materials such as concrete for structural integrity, double-glazed glass for thermal performance, and clay bricks for aesthetic texture. Furthermore, photovoltaic panels are incorporated to provide renewable energy, ensuring an environmentally conscious approach throughout the design. The landscaping showcases native plants, further enhancing the ecological integration of the residence within its environment.

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MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

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Design the next suburban home for the USA

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Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026
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Final registration deadline 8 April 2026
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Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

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Final registration deadline 4 February 2026
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MICROHOME 2026

Design a new concept of small-scale home and share a prize fund of 100,000€

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Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 11 February 2026
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Use architecture to create different emotional states

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Early bird registration deadline 25 February 2026
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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

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Early bird registration deadline 26 February 2026
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Design a home with no artificial lighting

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Final registration deadline 2 March 2026
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Final registration deadline 5 March 2026
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Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
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Final registration deadline 2 April 2026

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