This competition is part of a strategic partnership between Buildner and ArchDaily that aims to explore "The Contemporary Home".
Learn moreThe contemporary home
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What is a home?
A house and a home aren't always the same thing. And while the aspects that make a place your home aren't limited to physical attributes, architecture can still have a huge impact. Cultural differences, location, resources, and the format of your family will all influence what you look for in a home. And in a world that seems to be changing faster than ever, can architects and designers anticipate the needs of new-age homes?
Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme
As the second competition in the series following the success of the first House of the Future 2023/24, we continue our exploration into the future of living spaces for Emirati citizens in United Arab Emirates. This year, in collaboration with the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, we remain steadfast in our mission: to find innovative designs that resonate with the architectural aesthetic of the UAE and address the functional needs of its people. The assignment does not change; we are looking for visionary concepts that offer a fresh take on the Emirati home, balancing tradition with modernity.
250,000 € prize and potential construction.
Winning entries will not only be considered for construction by the United Arab Emirates Government but will also share in the 250,000 € prize fund, making this a incredible opportunity for architects and designers worldwide.
Open to all levels of expertise from any location, the House of the Future 2024/25 encourages creativity within the parameters of practicality, with a budget cap of 1.2 million Emirati Dirhams.
This call to action invites participants to contribute to UAE evolving landscape by designing homes that are ready for the future, today. It’s an opportunity to shape the next generation of housing in the UAE, creating spaces that are adaptable, sustainable, and deeply connected to the rich cultural heritage of the Emirati people.
Open to everyone, everywhere, no qualifications required
House of the Future 2023/24
In 2023, the Dubai government, in partnership with Buildner, launched the first House of the Future competition. It quickly became a hit, attracting participants from 127 countries. The competition saw a wide range of entries from individuals, teams, and design offices representing these countries.
To judge these innovative entries, Buildner assembled an impressive jury panel that included Micael Calatrava and Andrew Mason from Calatrava Grace and Calatrava International, Charles Walker from Zaha Hadid Architects, Abdul Redha Abu Al Hassan from the Dubai Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), Martin Voelkle from BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group, Christina Seilern from Studio Seilern Architects, Ahmed Bukhash from Dubai-based Archidentity, Stefan de Koning from Rotterdam-based MVRDV, and Will Plowman who leads the Dubai office of Foster + Partners.
The competition culminated in a grand award ceremony in Dubai, where the prizes totaling €250,000 were awarded by the Crown Prince of Dubai himself.
Read more Read less Learn more about the House of the Future 2023/24Brief
The full House of the Future 2024/25 competition brief can be downloaded as often as required; no additional information will be provided after registration.
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Full Competition Brief
Prizes
Total prize fund
250,000 €
+ potential to be realised1ST PLACE
140,000 €
2ND PLACE
45,000 €
3RD PLACE
20,000 €
Innovation Award
45,000 €
Special Award for using innovative and sustainable materials
6 Honourable mentions + certificates of achievement
Besides the competition winners, we'll also honor six exceptional individuals with honorable mentions for their remarkable efforts and contributions. Buildner will commend the exceptional performance of all winners and honorable mentions by presenting them with Certificates of Achievement, recognizing their outstanding contributions.
Publicity campaign
The Buildner’s extensive global publicity campaign for the competition winners:
Buildner's two million
The results are published on buildner.com, a leading website in the architecture industry, attracting over one million unique visitors annually. Additionally, the campaign extends to Buildner's social networks, which boast over 800,000 followers combined, and through newsletter campaigns reaching over 200,000 subscribers.
Interview and movie
Winners will have the opportunity to submit a movie and an interview, boosting their recognizability and helping to build their name in the industry.
Extensive media network
Buildner leverages an extensive network of media industry leaders to publish the competition results. This broadens the audience further, ensuring that participants' work is showcased across multiple platforms known for their influence and reach in the architecture and design sectors.
Publicity
ArchDaily feature
As part of the collaboration between Buildner and ArchDaily, the competition winners will be showcased on ArchDaily, a leading architecture news platform.
This feature will greatly boost the winners' visibility to millions of architecture professionals and enthusiasts worldwide, increasing their chances for new opportunities, attracting new clients, and establishing their reputation in the industry.
Read more about Buildner and ArchDaily partnership
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Meet your jury
Extended list of jury biographies
Live talk on Tech-Driven Climate-Responsive Architecture featuring competition jury members from Foster + Partners and Zaha Hadid Architects:
Jury panel
Jury members shall under no circumstances be contacted by competition participants or their representatives. Participants who attempt to contact jury members, shall be disqualified.
All jury members are involved in the evaluation based on their availability at that time. All communication regarding the competition should only be carried out with Buildner staff. For any questions please contact us on [email protected]
Alison Brooks
Alison Brooks Architects
UK
Ahmed Bukhash
Founder of Archidentity
UAE
Micael Calatrava
Calatrava Grace and Calatrava International
UAE
Sumaya Dabbagh
Dabbagh Architects
UAE
Andrew Mason
Director of Contracts for Calatrava International
UAE
Will Plowman
Partner at Foster + Partners
UAE
Bertrand Schippan
Partner, MVRDV
Netherlands
Charles Walker
Director of Zaha Hadid Architects
UK
Key dates
Send remindersClosing date for registration
30 April 2025
Competition Q&A deadline
5 May 2025
In order to guarantee equal opportunities to all competition participants.
No new questions will be answered after this deadline.
Closing date for project submission
2 June 2025
23:59 (LONDON TIME)
Announcement of the winners
15 July 2025
Competition Q&A deadline
5 May 2025
In order to guarantee equal opportunities to all competition participants.
No new questions will be answered after this deadline.
Setbacks should be followed in line with typical UAE urban planning guidelines, as they ensure privacy and proper spatial separation. However, deviations may be considered if a compelling and clearly justified design rationale demonstrates significant architectural or social value.
No, participants are expected to work with a conceptual site based on the UAE’s urban and environmental context. A real location is not required, but the proposal must reflect a realistically applicable setting within the country.
The 300 m² figure is a strong recommendation based on the competition’s functional brief and budget framework. A moderate increase may be accepted only if clearly explained and balanced against the cost limits and functional coherence.
Yes, but this must be approached with caution. While underground levels are allowed, participants should be aware of potential environmental limitations in the UAE, such as groundwater and soil conditions. Their inclusion must be rationally justified within the spatial and cost structure.
Yes, hand drawings are allowed, but all visual content must maintain a high standard of clarity and graphic quality to ensure professional presentation and effective communication.
The inclusion of two kitchens aligns with local lifestyle expectations and is strongly advised. If proposing an alternative arrangement, it must be justified as functionally equivalent and culturally appropriate.
These spaces are expected in typical Emirati housing layouts. While not strictly mandatory, their exclusion should be based on a clearly redefined household model that aligns with the region’s cultural norms.
The maximum height of ground floor plus two upper floors (G+2) should be respected. Any proposal that exceeds this must demonstrate exceptional architectural merit and include a convincing justification.
Yes, as long as the required program and spatial content are fully covered and all visual communication remains clear and coherent. Sequential logic should enhance, not replace, essential technical clarity.
The use of realistically available materials and buildable systems is recommended, especially to maintain alignment with the cost framework. Speculative or future-forward solutions may be used if clearly explained, and practical feasibility is addressed.
The house should typically maintain separation from all plot boundaries. However, building up to the edge may be considered if the proposal clearly demonstrates how this move enhances spatial use, fosters urban cohesion, or supports an alternative typology, with full acknowledgment of standard setbacks.
These proportions are strongly recommended to ensure consistent urban density and program feasibility. Participants may reconfigure the layout if the total area remains within 450 m² and the new configuration is clearly justified.
Yes, but any combination (e.g. guest room + office) must be functionally coherent and respect the brief’s emphasis on comfort, privacy, and spatial clarity. Multi-use spaces must be convincingly resolved in layout and use.
The plot should represent a typical UAE residential context, assumed to have adjacent plots on all sides. High-density surroundings are expected, but you may propose slight variations (e.g. proximity to public green space) if they suit your narrative and urban vision.
The proposal should refer to UAE norms where applicable to ensure realistic feasibility. However, standard rules may be challenged if the design demonstrates clear improvements and acknowledges the standard being questioned.
Yes, and they are strongly encouraged. Proposals may incorporate solar, passive cooling, water recycling, or energy-efficient systems, provided they are coherent with the design and budget framework.
There are no fixed performance metrics, but environmental responsibility is expected. Net-zero strategies are encouraged but not mandatory, and any sustainability features should be clearly explained.
The brief does not define minimum room sizes, but proportions should follow standard residential design practice and respect functionality and cultural norms.
Yes, modular or prefabricated systems are welcome, as long as they meet UAE climate and spatial requirements and remain within the budget constraints.
Yes, garage placement is flexible, but it should be handled with urban sensitivity and not dominate the public façade. No specific façade percentage limits are defined, but the result should be architecturally balanced.
A majlis is recommended as a culturally significant space, but it may be reinterpreted in layout, form, or use, as long as its function and cultural role are respected.
Yes, your design may propose a replicable model. However, the focus must remain on the quality and performance of one prototype within the brief’s scope.
No restrictions are placed on visual techniques. Participants may use plans, diagrams, renders, exploded views, axonometrics, or collages, provided the design is clearly communicated and fits the A2 format requirements.
