Dubai: The Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation (MBRCGI) has announced the winning projects of the House of the Future 2.0 Global Competition, held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence. The announcement was made during an exhibition at Emirates Towers Boulevard in Dubai, showcasing projects from both the first and second editions of the competition.
According to Emirates News Agency, the exhibition features innovative architectural models for sustainable homes, aligning with the UAE's vision for future cities focused on sustainability and wellbeing. The second edition of the competition, organized by MBRCGI in partnership with the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, celebrated projects for smart and sustainable homes. The House of Courts project took first place, followed by the Modular project in second, and FlexiCourts in third. The Innovation Award was granted to both the Local House project and the Regenerative Vernacular project.
Suhail bin Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, emphasized that the competition represents the UAE's vision to empower creative minds and develop pioneering housing solutions. He stated that the initiative focuses on future planning, the adoption of advanced technologies, and transforming ideas into practical projects to improve wellbeing and sustainability.
Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, noted that the UAE government prioritizes innovation in vital sectors. He emphasized that the House of the Future Competition serves as a platform for sustainable architecture, achieving success by attracting innovative ideas globally.
The competition saw active participation from 140 countries and received over 5,000 submissions centered on sustainability. The total prize fund was AED 1 million, with AED500,000 for first place, AED200,000 for second, AED100,000 for third, and AED200,000 for the Innovation Award.
The winners were determined by an international jury of experts, including renowned architects such as Charles Walker from Zaha Hadid Architects and Michael Calatrava of Santiago Calatrava. The jury assessed submissions based on criteria like architectural quality, environmental sustainability, and design flexibility.
The exhibition at Emirates Towers Boulevard, organized by MBRCGI, draws a wide audience interested in sustainable architecture, offering a glimpse into advanced future visions for homes. It showcases winning models from both competition editions, launched in collaboration with the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme and Buildner platform, aiming to highlight innovative designs for adaptable Emirati homes.
The competition's second edition is a collaboration between MBRCGI and the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, inspiring global innovation in smart and flexible housing solutions for future projects. The first edition, in collaboration with the Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment, attracted 3,500 innovative ideas from 140 countries, underscoring the global interest and importance of the competition's theme.