2023 - UAE, Dubai

House of the Future

Categories
Residential

The journey for this project in Dubai began with great respect for the rich traditions of Arab-Islamic culture. We drew inspiration from this cultural heritage and developed a design guided by our vision. In this imaginative space, creativity and a daring approach to uniqueness served as our guiding philosophy. We envisioned a house for the future, built on the foundational principles of Emirati culture.

Our design focus was on balancing tradition with the demands of modern life. At the heart of our concept was the essence of Emirati family life: the central courtyard—a retreat of privacy nestled within the core of the structure. By positioning this courtyard as the centerpiece of the building, we were able to realize our living concept.

In our quest for a harmonious blend of heritage and modernity, the opportunity arose to create a connection to the external world: a publicly accessible garden.

The main living area is located on the upper floor, overlooking a public garden on the ground floor. This garden is reminiscent of the legendary Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The timeless sound of flowing water, reflecting ancient Arab traditions, enhances the environment with small fountains that not only increase humidity but also create a specific ambiance.

To maintain privacy and clearly delineate the private garden area from the public garden, we placed the private garden on a lower level (-3.20 meters). This sunken area provides a cool refuge on hot days, shaded by the main garden structure.

A significant challenge in planning was the local temperature conditions. One of the planning goals was to implement an efficient and energy-saving ventilation system for the building. A so-called wind tower was established at the center of the building. This traditional element of Arab architecture has been used for millennia to facilitate ventilation and cooling. Utilizing a pond and swimming pool area, where the air can cool, along with green walls in the stairwells, ensures constant air circulation. Additionally, openings in walls and windows allow for quick air exchange between indoor and outdoor areas.

The project's roof was designed with innovative VISS-SG systems to maximize solar reflection while integrating solar panels. This system enables indirect daylight illumination of the underlying living spaces through light redirection. The sophisticated design of this system prevents direct sunlight penetration while providing optimal surfaces for solar cell usage to generate electricity. The air layer between the exterior and interior of these system elements creates excellent thermal insulation.

Another architectural challenge was integrating a textile layer as a protective curtain to maintain privacy and reduce daylight intensity. This design allows residents to flexibly control daylight and ensure a pleasant atmosphere with minimal effort.

The exterior walls will be constructed as a modular system. This system allows for the use of sliding doors to integrate the "loop" area as a balcony into the project. This flexible structure expands the living space and creates a connection between indoor and outdoor areas.

On the public courtyard level, space was allocated for waste separation and bicycle parking. Additionally, channels were implemented on all levels of the project to collect rain and surface water. This water is stored in an underground reservoir, purified, and reused. While the integration of greywater is controversial due to religious concerns, it is considered a potential closed-loop system. Thus, waste became art, and rainwater became life, collected and purified to sustain our living essence.

The limited plot size required innovative solutions for parking design. Parking spaces on the lower floor are accessible via automatic elevators.

Thus, our vision for the house of the future in Dubai took shape. A testament to the symbiosis of tradition and innovation, where past and future converge, and where every brick, every ray of sunlight, and every drop of water tells a story of harmony and coexistence.

Dubai, UAE

Dubai UAE

Map
  • Competition 2023
  • GFA: 321 m²