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Windcatcher-Focused Design with Local Adobe and Courtyard Integration for Sustainable Living

Authors:
Alaa Albarazy, Sara Kadour, Malak Bakri
Windcatcher-Focused Design with Local Adobe and Courtyard Integration for Sustainable Living

Project in-detail

Utilizing windcatcher elements and local adobe construction, this design prioritizes passive cooling and community interaction through a central courtyard, serving as a modern residential solution.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates traditional windcatchers for natural ventilation.
02
Utilizes locally sourced adobe bricks for thermal efficiency.
03
Features a central courtyard to enhance community interaction.
04
Adaptable living configurations allow for mixed-use functionality.
05
Integrates water features to support local ecology and cooling.

### Overview
Located in a region characterized by a climate that demands efficient thermal management, the project focuses on creating comfortable living spaces through innovative design solutions. Drawing inspiration from traditional Bedouin architecture, it emphasizes communal living and integrates local resources to enhance environmental performance.

### Natural Cooling Innovation
A key feature of the design is the implementation of **Windcatchers**, which facilitate natural ventilation by channeling cooler air into the living spaces while expelling warmer air. The U-shaped architectural configuration creates an inner courtyard that serves as a central cooling zone, promoting communal interaction. This design strategy reduces dependence on mechanical cooling systems, aligning with the intent of creating a sustainable living environment.

### Material Selection and Sustainability
The project utilizes materials that enhance thermal efficiency and durability. **Adobe bricks**, made from local sand, clay, and goat hair, provide excellent insulation, while **stucco** offers aesthetic flexibility and thermal benefits. The structure incorporates **reinforced concrete** for added strength and **glass** to maximize natural lighting while maintaining energy efficiency. The design also includes water elements in the courtyard and strategically placed greenery to promote ecological balance and improve air quality. These elements collectively contribute to the project's sustainability objectives, minimizing carbon footprint and utilizing local resources effectively.

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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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