HOUSE OF THE FUTURE دار الوصل

DIAGRAMS, PLANS, 3D SECTION REPRESNTATION AND DESIGN BY ME

VISUALIZATION OF THE HOUSE IS BY ME

LOCATION: DUBAI, UAE

2025

Community Living and Sociological Foundations

The design of the house draws on architecture, sociology, and local ethnicity to frame a community housing strategy that balances individual needs with collective living. At its core, the design reflects two fundamental German sociological concepts: Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft, as defined by sociologists like Ferdinand Tönnies and later expanded upon by Max Weber. Gemeinschaft refers to community-oriented living, emphasizing close personal relationships, shared values, and a sense of belonging—an idea we translate into our housing model by promoting social integration among extended families living on the same plot. Meanwhile, Gesellschaft represents a more modern, individualistic society based on formal structures and self-interest. Our design bridges these two paradigms by encouraging the organic connections of Gemeinschaft while still allowing the independence and adaptability needed in a Gesellschaft-oriented society. In doing so, the house becomes more than a shelter; it becomes a dynamic space capable of evolving across generations, preserving land resources, and reinforcing familial bonds.

Learning from the past manifested as key cultural element integrated into the design is the Majlis, an essential space in Emirati tradition for hosting and community engagement. The design includes both an indoor air-conditioned Majlis for use during the hotter months, and an outdoor Majlis facing the street and community, in keeping with the heritage of welcoming guests and interacting with neighbors. This dual arrangement reactivates the Majlis as a living social space, honoring cultural traditions while meeting contemporary comfort and climatic needs.