Comment of the Holcim Awards 2005 Jury for Africa Middle East
The project is commended for its innovative synthesis of bioclimatic knowledge as well as responding both rationally and artistically to the challenges of a semi-desert environment. Of significance is the integration of contemporary passive thermal control principles with strategies of traditional Islamic residential architecture.
Experimental, the project suggests broad range applicability in similar climate zones. Although compact, the dwelling is equipped with all necessary amenities for a number of residents and adheres to high ethical standards in all phases of its life cycle.
The project is also successful by achieving autonomy in terms of energy use. The use of natural material resources in construction that optimize operation and maintenance, as well as the selection of robust products and technologies is also applauded. Equally notable are technical innovations such as the wind-scoop and underground coupling as well as renewable energy technologies such as wind-generators for electricity.
Such extensive considerations do not restrict the flexibility of use offered, nor do they compromise the aesthetic elegance of the project. The work is a clear example of design ingenuity coupled with sensitivity and technical skill.