House of the Future
Dezeen Competitions: Buildner’s House of the Future competition seeks innovative housing solutions to current social issues.
The House of the Future competition aims to solve public housing problems to better serve the UAE community.
This competition has now closed
Organiser: Buildner
Competition: House of the Future competition
Judges:
- Andrew Mason, director of contracts for Calatrava International
- Will Plowman, partner at Foster + Partners
- Bertrand Schippan, partner at MVRDV
- Charles Walker, director of Zaha Hadid Architects
- Alison Brooks, founder of Alison Brooks Architects
- Ahmed Bukhash, founder of Archidentity
- Micael Calatrava, co-CEO of Calatrava Grace and Calatrava International
- Sumaya Dabbagh, founder of Dabbagh Architects
Submission deadline: 30 April 2025
Winner announcement: 15 July 2025
Prizes: Winners will share a prize fund of $250,000 and their proposal will be considered for construction by the UAE government. The first prize is $140,000, the second prize is $45,000, the third prize is $20,000, and the competition’s innovation award is $45,000
Competition overview
As the second competition in the series following the success of the first House of the Future 2023/24, Buildner continues its exploration into the future of living spaces for Emirati citizens in United Arab Emirates.
This year, in collaboration with the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, the competition aims to find innovative designs that resonate with the architectural aesthetic of the UAE and address the functional needs of its people.
Buildner is looking for visionary concepts that offer a fresh take on the Emirati home, balancing tradition with modernity. 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.
Open to all levels of expertise from any location, the House of the Future 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 connected to the rich cultural heritage of the Emirati people.
Eligibility and judging criteria
Buildner’s competition is open to both students and professionals over the age of 18.
Proposals must consider the UAE’s diverse landscape, ranging from oases to mountains and coastlines to deserts.
They must also consider its changing environment, including prolonged heat waves and flooding risks. Designs must incorporate sustainable materials and have limited environmental impact.
The designs should align with the traditional values of the UAE while offering a fresh take on the home and addressing the functional needs of modern-day people.
Successful designs have the potential to be realised as part of the government’s development project.
How to enter
- Participants are required to upload one A2 landscape-orientated presentation board with sketches, renderings, plans, sections, elevations, diagrams and/or other presentation tools to explain their proposal
- No video files are accepted
- All information provided in writing must be in English
- Submissions must be uploaded to the online upload panel, which will provide participants with instructions on how to upload their presentation board
- Presentation boards must be anonymous and not include an individual’s or team’s identity
Submission deadlines
Closing date for registration is 30 April 2025 and the closing date for submission is 2 June 2025.
Winners will be announced on 15 July 2025.
About Buildner
Buildner showcases international architecture competitions, providing a platform for designers and architects to spotlight their work and shape the future of the built environment.
For over ten years, the platform has published more than 140 competitions and had over 400 guest jury members.
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