GCC Housing Award | UAE

This project reinterprets the traditional Emirati Fareej into a sustainable contemporary neighbourhood.
Courtyard-style homes are built along the plot edges to maximise land use and define the public realm, while narrow pedestrian paths (Sikkas) connect the houses to neighbouring homes, community facilities, and open gathering spaces — the smaller Barahaat and larger Meyadeen.

The design promotes a strong sense of community, privacy, and belonging through shaded, human-scaled spaces that respond to the UAE’s climate and social fabric.
Passive cooling, natural ventilation, and native landscaping create comfortable microclimates within each courtyard.

Rooted in heritage yet forward-looking, the project combines traditional Emirati principles with modern sustainable strategies — solar integration, local materials, and water efficiency — to craft a truly contextual model for future housing in the UAE.