Today's Edition
DUBAI (ALETIHAD)
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation and the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme have announced the launch of the second edition of the ‘House of the Future’ competition.
The competition invites architects and designers from around the world to design a highly affordable, expandable and innovative house that combines aesthetic appeal with adaptability to diverse topographies across the UAE. The total cost of constructing the house should not exceed Dh800,000.
According to the partnership agreement signed by both parties, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation will manage and supervise the implementation of the "House of the Future” competition in collaboration with local and international partners.
The Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme will implement selected participating designs in its future housing projects and provide technical and engineering support.
The Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme will display the competition’s winning designs on its Darek platform for citizens who wish to build their own homes, offering significant savings in cost and time.
Dh800,000 'House of the Future'
This partnership will strengthen efforts to develop and implement the House of the Future model, offering sustainable, smart, and cost-effective homes for UAE citizens.
On this occasion, Suhail bin Mohammed Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, highlighted the UAE government’s dedication to advancing urban development through initiatives that create inclusive and sustainable environments.
He also stated that the collaboration between the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation in organising the House of the Future competition seeks to support innovators and transform ideas into projects that enhance the country’s urban landscape.
Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, emphasised that the competition reflects the UAE’s vision to encourage talent and innovation. It aims to develop creative solutions that positively impact society while fostering sustainable urban design and infrastructure to improve the quality of life.
The "House of the Future” competition promotes creativity, sustainability, and innovation, inspiring architects worldwide to explore forward-thinking designs that reflect modern Emirati living. This initiative focuses on eco-friendly and sustainable housing that integrates with nature.
Now in its second year, the competition, organised in collaboration with Buildner, sets clear standards. Submitted designs must honour the UAE’s cultural heritage, withstand environmental changes, use sustainable materials, include at least three bedrooms, and be expandable, all within an Dh800,000 budget.
Prize money
The winner of the competition will receive Dh500,000, the runner-up will receive Dh200,000, and the second runner-up will receive Dh100,000.
Additionally, a special category prize of Dh200,000 will be awarded for the most innovative design using sustainable building materials.
Jury
Members of the competition’s jury include: Charles Walker, Board Member of Zaha Hadid Architects; Micael Calatrava, CEO of Calatrava International LLC; Ahmed Bukhash, Chief Architect & Founder of ARCHIDENTITY; Will Plowman from Foster + Partners; Ben van Berkel, founder of UNStudio; Alison Brooks of Alison Brooks Architects; and Bertrand Schippan of MVRDV.
The first edition of the "House of the Future” competition, organised with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment, attracted strong global interest, receiving 3,500 innovative ideas from 140 countries.
Submissions for the competition are open until 2 June, 2025, on https://houseofthefuture.ae and https://architecturecompetitions.com/houseofthefuture2.
