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Wooden Screens and Solar Integration in an Eco-Friendly Community Complex

Author:
Apollinaria Gorokhova
Wooden Screens and Solar Integration in an Eco-Friendly Community Complex

Project in-detail

Curved roofs and wooden screens enhance environmental sustainability while creating a community-focused residential complex in the Abu Dhabi Dunes.
5 key facts about this project
01
Community design emphasizes privacy with a rounded layout for unobstructed views.
02
Upper screens function as solar panels for energy efficiency.
03
Cottages feature windows strategically placed for starry night views.
04
Curved roof design enhances airflow in the public center.
05
Kitchen accommodates up to ten cooks for communal dining experiences.

The residential holiday complex "An Oasis of Nature" is situated in the peaceful Abu Dhabi Dunes. It is designed to harmonize with its natural surroundings while providing a comfortable living space for its residents. The rounded form of the buildings allows for open views of the landscape while ensuring privacy for individual homes. The design prioritizes community living alongside personal comfort, achieving a connection between people and nature.

Cottage Design

The cottages within the complex are compact, with each measuring 50 m² and designed to accommodate two occupants. Originally planned with a maximum height of 4.5 m, these cottages maintain uniform dimensions across the structures, including those for VIP residents. The placement of windows above bedrooms and kitchens allows for views of the starry sky, enhancing the overall experience of the space and deepening the relationship between the interiors and the natural environment outside.

Sustainability Features

Environmental sustainability is an important aspect of the design. The upper part of the screen structures acts as solar panels, capturing sunlight to provide energy for an ecological lighting system. This thoughtful feature shows a commitment to using natural resources effectively, encouraging a responsible lifestyle for residents while also reducing energy consumption.

Public Center Design

At the center of the complex is a public space characterized by a curved roof, which promotes fresh air circulation and contributes to the visual appeal. The building has two entrances, making access easier and reducing the possibility of congestion. Located at the highest point of the site, the public center connects indoor areas with an outdoor terrace, providing a gathering spot that invites interaction and engagement among residents.

Interior Spaces

Inside, the layout is carefully organized, beginning with an entrance that leads into an administration room and a hall highlighted by a central fountain. The design ensures accessibility, with separate restroom facilities that include options for individuals with disabilities. A kitchen designed to serve up to ten cooks supports a food court intended for forty diners. Social interaction is enhanced by curved pillars in the communal areas, inviting residents to gather comfortably.

The use of wooden screens on the exterior does more than offer shade; it also controls light entering the living spaces. This addition improves the overall comfort while contributing to the aesthetic quality of the cottages.

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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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