MBRCGI Announces Winners Of House Of The Future 2.0 Global Competition For Sustainable Homes

The Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation (MBRCGI) recently revealed the winners of the House of the Future 2.0 Global Competition. This event, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, showcases innovative architectural models for sustainable homes at Emirates Towers Boulevard in Dubai. The exhibition highlights the UAE's vision for smart cities prioritising sustainability and wellbeing.

Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, emphasised that the UAE government has firmly rooted innovation as a cornerstone for future development. He stated, "This approach has become a solid basis and a driving force for future projects, contributing to enhancing wellbeing and building a more advanced, prosperous, and sustainable future." He encouraged global architects to contribute innovative ideas in future editions.

The competition honoured several projects for their unique designs. The House of Courts project by Hamzeh Ahmed Hasan Al Thweib and Luzia Magdalena Stallmann from Germany won first place. Their design integrates traditional UAE architecture with modern sustainability features like barajeel (wind towers). Meanwhile, Marc Izaguerri Serrano's Modular project from the UK secured second place with its adaptable modular design.

In third place was FlexiCourts by Lijiang Shen and Yaoyao Yuan from China. Their design optimises natural sunlight and airflow to minimise energy use while ensuring comfort throughout the year. In the Innovation Award category, Griffin James Collier and David Alston Langdon from the UK were recognised for their Local House project, which combines cultural identity with environmental efficiency using local materials.

The competition attracted submissions from over 140 countries, receiving more than 5,000 innovative designs focused on sustainability. An international jury assessed entries based on criteria such as architectural quality and environmental sustainability. Notable jury members included Charles Walker from Zaha Hadid Architects and Michael Calatrava of Santiago Calatrava.

Suhail bin Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, highlighted that this competition aligns with the UAE's vision to empower creative minds in urban planning. He remarked that it embodies a national approach focused on anticipating future needs through advanced technologies to enhance community wellbeing.

Exhibition Highlights

The exhibition at Emirates Towers Boulevard features winning models from both editions of the competition. It offers visitors insights into advanced visions for sustainable homes of tomorrow. Organised by MBRCGI in collaboration with partners like Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, it underscores the UAE's leadership in innovative housing solutions.

The second edition represents a collaboration between MBRCGI and Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme aimed at inspiring global innovators to develop smart homes suitable for future projects. The first edition also saw significant interest with 3,500 ideas submitted globally, highlighting its importance in promoting sustainable urban design solutions.

Suhail bin Mohamed Al Mazrouei congratulated all winners while reaffirming his ministry's commitment to expanding innovation within housing sectors aligned with leadership goals for a prosperous urban future in the UAE.

The total prize fund reached AED 1 million: AED500,000 for first place; AED200,000 each for second place and Innovation Award winners; AED100,000 went towards third place winners' efforts towards creating sustainable housing solutions worldwide.

With inputs from WAM