Winner - Aerys Village Eco Lodge
Thies Somone, Senegal
Architect Agency: Atelier KALM
Fabricator: Schueller Metal
Product solutions used: SOLEAL windows and sliders
Photographer Angela Sorbaioli
The Aerys Village project, located along the Somone lagoon in Thies, is a residential complex of eight villas, each occupying a 1,000 m² plot. Designed by Atelier KALM, the project focuses on bioclimatic principles and a deep connection with nature. The villas, arranged like a modernised traditional village, reflect the harmony between architecture and the environment. Each villa is built with raw earth brick walls that enhance thermal inertia, ensuring a cooler indoor temperature during the day and heat retention at night. Wooden pergolas and carefully placed trees manage solar radiation, providing natural shade. Cross openings allow fresh air circulation, while a roof-level air renewal system ensures efficient ventilation at night, reducing dependence on air conditioning. Locally sourced materials, including laterite stone and shells, were used extensively. The laterite stone clads the exterior walls, adding durability and aesthetics, while shells were used for outdoor paving. This emphasis on using local resources underscores the project's ecological commitment, combining modern design with traditional Senegalese techniques. The project incorporates TECHNAL’s SOLEAL exterior joinery system, perfectly suited to the region’s climate. SOLEAL sliding doors and windows, free of thermal bridge breaks, provide effective insulation and a sleek design. These large windows flood the interiors with natural light, creating a seamless connection between the inside and the surrounding landscape. The durable, minimalist joinery integrates harmoniously with the bioclimatic features of the villas. A key element of the landscape design was preserving the existing Prosopis trees and planting over a hundred new trees to foster biodiversity. This design approach merges the built and natural environments, creating a serene living space that aligns with both ecological and aesthetic principles. Aerys Village offers a contemporary take on traditional Senegalese architecture, maintaining a profound connection with nature. It stands as an example of sustainable innovation, blending luxury with ecological mindfulness.
Special Mention - Uptown Dubai Tower
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Architect Agency: AS+GG, Woods Bagot
Fabricator: Besix
Product solutions: used GEODE façades
Photographer: Nicolas Dumont
The Uptown Dubai Tower, designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, is a 340-meter-tall mixed-use skyscraper in Dubai’s Jumeirah Lake Towers Free Zone. As a landmark development, the 81-story tower offers luxury residences, office spaces, and the SO/ Uptown Dubai Hotel, all with breathtaking views of the city’s waterfront and skyline. The project showcases modern architectural innovation, combining functionality and aesthetics in one of Dubai’s most sought-after areas. The tower’s design, inspired by the facets of a diamond, reflects the brilliance and precision of its form. The façade features the GEODE unitized curtain wall system, which enhances the building’s aesthetic by playing with light and shadow. The prefabricated aluminum panels provide structural strength while ensuring thermal efficiency, significantly reducing solar heat gain and energy consumption. This system, built to withstand Dubai’s harsh climate, ensures both durability and long-term performance. The project places a strong emphasis on sustainability, aiming for LEED certification through various energy and water-saving measures. The use of light-colored paving and shading elements further reduces heat absorption, contributing to greater comfort in the outdoor areas. The tower’s grand entrances, framed by laminated glass canopies, provide a luxurious, seamless transition from the exterior to the interior, creating a welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors. Inside, the Uptown Tower features 229 branded residences, Grade-A office spaces, and a range of world-class amenities, including restaurants, conference facilities, and a grand ballroom. The podium houses retail spaces and parking, offering a functional and elegant solution for both business and residential needs. The tower’s design is an ideal blend of luxury and practicality, catering to the needs of a diverse range of occupants. The construction utilized advanced digital technologies to streamline the building process, ensuring precision and efficiency. This approach, combined with the project’s commitment to sustainability, sets the Uptown Dubai Tower apart as a leading example of modern high-rise architecture and standing as a symbol of architectural innovation and sustainability, redefining Dubai’s skyline and setting new standards for skyscraper design in the region.
