Buildner, in collaboration with the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme and the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation, proudly announces the results of the “House of the Future 2024/25” architecture competition.
As the second installment in the visionary design series, this year’s challenge once again invited architects and designers from around the world to reimagine the Emirati home—blending tradition with innovation, sustainability, and adaptability. With a prize fund of €250,000 and the potential for winning designs to be implemented across the United Arab Emirates, the competition received an impressive response from participants representing 122 countries.
The 2024/25 edition invited proposals for an expandable, affordable, and climate-responsive prototype home designed for a 450-square-meter site. The international jury placed strong emphasis on spatial clarity, compact planning, and sustainable building systems that could adapt to the socio-cultural and climatic context of the UAE. The selected winners embody these principles with outstanding architectural vision and technical feasibility.
First prize was awarded to Hamzeh Ahmad Hasan Al-Thweib and Luzia Magdalena Stallmann (Germany), whose project “House of Courts” integrates traditional Emirati design elements—such as wind catchers and courtyards—within a contemporary, sustainable framework that supports multigenerational living. Second prize went to Marc Izaguerri Serrano (Germany) for “MODULOR: A Prototype for Evolving Homes”, a modular housing concept designed for long-term urban adaptability. Third prize was claimed by Lijiang Shen and Yaoyao Yuan of GN Architects (China) for “FlexiCourts”, a courtyard-based model promoting modularity, passive cooling, and privacy.
Two Innovation Awards were also presented: to Griffin James Collier and David Alston Langdon of Archipelago (UK) for “The Local House”, a culturally grounded, environmentally efficient model using UAE-sourced materials; and to Nicolas Lapierre (Canada) for “re/generative vernacular”, a low-carbon, 3D-printed rammed-earth home celebrating modularity and traditional spatial logics. Buildner and its partners commend all participating teams for their creative contributions and commitment to shaping the future of Emirati housing. These designs not only respond to the present needs of the UAE’s citizens but also lay the foundation for a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable architectural future.
The jury engaged in thoughtful deliberations that questioned the core principles of contemporary housing in the UAE. Their assessment balanced visionary ideas with the practical demands of construction, scale, and budget. Designs were recognized not only for their innovation, but for their ability to deliver buildable, cost-conscious solutions that respect the everyday realities of Emirati life.
The jury placed particular emphasis on compact planning, clarity of circulation, and thoughtful material choices. Sustainable elements like wind towers and cooling pools were commended when technically feasible and meaningfully integrated. Passive design strategies and strong street-facing frontages were likewise valued, especially when they contributed to the vision of future cohesive, livable communities.
Buildner and its institutional partners extend their congratulations to the winning and shortlisted teams for their compelling and well-resolved proposals. Sincere thanks are also offered to every participant for their contributions, ideas, and creative commitment to imagining the future of Emirati housing.
1st Place
House Of Courts
Hamzeh Ahmad Hasan Al-Thweib, Luzia Magdalena Stallmann
Germany
“We participate in architecture competitions to learn, explore new ideas, and challenge ourselves beyond the boundaries of everyday practice. Competitions give us the freedom to experiment and grow as designers. In this particular case, we saw it as a valuable opportunity to collaborate for the first time and combine our perspectives and skills in a shared creative process.”
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JURY FEEDBACK summary
‘House of Courts’ organizes a single-family home around a central circulation spine and three distinct courtyards, creating a layout that balances privacy, ventilation, and access to outdoor space. Traditional elements such as wind catchers, mashrabiya screens, and thermal mass are reinterpreted through contemporary forms to regulate temperature and light. The house is designed for flexibility, with multiple spatial configurations supporting multigenerational living. Construction emphasizes sustainability through circular material use, passive environmental systems, and integration with decentralized water and energy networks. At the neighborhood scale, the design proposes shared infrastructure, walkability, and modular expansion, connecting individual dwellings to a broader resilient framework.
2nd Place
Modulor
Marc Izaguerri Serrano
Germany
“Architecture competitions offer a refreshing break from the constraints of day-to-day practice. They allow for a more open and experimental approach to design free from many of the practical limitations we usually face. It’s a space where creativity can take the lead, and new ideas can be explored more freely.”
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JURY FEEDBACK summary
‘MODULOR: A Prototype for Evolving Homes’ proposes a modular housing system designed for long-term adaptability within dense urban communities. The project is based on a structural and spatial framework that accommodates incremental growth, allowing households to expand or reconfigure over time without full reconstruction. The design emphasizes passive climate control, spatial flexibility, and off-grid resource efficiency through prefabricated components, rainwater reuse, photovoltaic systems, and natural ventilation. Ground-level courtyards and shaded setbacks create privacy and airflow, while the massing strategy supports phased occupation across 1, 5, and 25-year scenarios. The result is a systemized approach to resilient, low-carbon urban living.
3rd Place
FlexiCourts
Lijiang Shen, Yaoyao Yuan
China
“Many exceptional designs, for various reasons, never make it to construction. Yet compared to built structures, these unbuilt works often possess a unique vitality and deeper sense of inspiration. We aspire to provide a platform that brings these creations to light and affirms their significance.”
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JURY FEEDBACK summary
‘FlexiCourts’ is a courtyard-based housing prototype designed for dense urban living in the UAE, integrating regional spatial traditions with passive climate strategies. The design emphasizes spatial flexibility through modular room arrangements, dual circulation paths, and a layered sequence of courtyards. Local materials such as AAC blocks, shading screens, and wind towers are combined with planted roofs and solar panels to regulate temperature and reduce energy consumption.
Innovation Award
The Local House
Griffin James Collier, David Alston Langdon
United Kingdom
“We are drawn to projects that raise challenging questions about how we live in relation to our environments. Competitions can allow ambitious and non-traditional ideas to emerge without the constraints of everyday practice.”
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JURY FEEDBACK summary
The Local House is a medium-scale residential prototype designed for the UAE that integrates traditional spatial hierarchies with contemporary environmental performance. Organized around a central courtyard, the house separates family, formal, and support functions into distinct volumes to provide privacy and clarity of use. Self-shading brick facades, stack ventilation, and rooftop solar panels support passive and active climate control strategies.
Innovation Award
regenerative vernacular
Nicolas Lapierre
Canada
“We participate in architecture competitions to challenge our practice and explore new innovative and sustainable ideas. Competitions offers us an opportunity to apply our approach to a responsible architecture to new contexts and regions, and participate in shaping the future of our global built environment.”
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JURY FEEDBACK summary
re/generative vernacular is a modular housing system, rooted in low-carbon construction and traditional spatial forms. The design employs a flexible kit-of-parts strategy using 3D-printed rammed-earth walls, vaulted ceilings, and modular timber or stabilized-earth components. Spaces are arranged around a shaded courtyard and passive cooling core, integrating a barjeel wind tower, rainwater harvesting, and geothermal systems.
HONORABLE MENTION
It is the future house of UAE
Xiaowei Bai
United States
“Why not? It is a great way to do the design exercise.”
HONORABLE MENTION
Cradle of the Sea
Thomas William Ewing
United Kingdom
“I participate in architecture competitions because they offer a unique opportunity to push and broaden my design perspective beyond the limits of everyday practice. They encourage creative risk-taking, allowing me to explore original concepts and test bold ideas in response to thought-provoking briefs. Competitions also serve as a platform for introspection, experimentation, and ongoing development, encouraging me to hone my creative identity.”
HONORABLE MENTION
Echoes of the Courtyard
Francesco Valletta, Katarina Brnovic
Italy
“We participate in architecture competitions because they push us to explore new ideas and engage deeply with cultural contexts. Competitions allow us to experiment, challenge conventions, and refine how we communicate complex design concepts. They help us grow both technically and ethically, sharpening our vision so that our architecture serves people and place in meaningful ways.”
HONORABLE MENTION
Building a Future
Jaime Alberto Sol Robles
United Kingdom
“Competitions are an opportunity to step outside the constraints of our day to day tasks and engage critically with new ideas. They allow me to test design thinking, explore interesting narratives, and articulate ideas that I have kept in the back of my mind.”
HONORABLE MENTION
The Gap: A Living House within a Living City
Pyae Phyo Kyaw
Germany
“I am deeply passionate about architecture competitions because they keep me continuously engaged with contemporary theories, urban challenges, and innovative design methods. Competitions require a deep understanding of architecture’s academic core — from spatial design to cultural context — and sharpen the ability to distill big ideas into clear, compelling proposals. Each competition is a new opportunity to explore bold concepts, test ideas, and collaborate across disciplines. Ultimately, the experience gained in competitions contributes not just to personal growth but also to real-world skills in communication, visual storytelling, and urban thinking.”
HONORABLE MENTION
Foundations of Tomorrow
William Henry Mace
United Kingdom
“I participated in this competition because of its unusual blend of pragmatic and conceptual requirements, in a region with a rich history of climate adaptation that had the potential to positively inform the design.”
SHORTLISTED PROJECTS
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