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Atrium-Cooled Guest Haven in Native Stone

Authors:
Pavle Đukić, Tina Dobrosavljević, Đorđe Barbul, Borko Erić
Atrium-Cooled Guest Haven in Native Stone

Project in-detail

A guesthouse built from local stone and clustered around an open-air atrium. Natural breezes flow through shaded courtyards, connecting indoor rooms to olive groves. Shared and private spaces alternate around communal gardens.
5 key facts about this project
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Local stone construction maintains cohesion with the surrounding landscape.
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Atrium-focused design channeling natural light and ventilation.
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Technical Composition and Construction Logic:

The Olive Oil Guest House is an architectural project that combines hospitality with olive oil production. Located within thriving olive groves, it integrates interior and exterior spaces to encourage guest interaction with the agricultural landscape. The layout includes communal living facilities, private accommodations, and multi-purpose areas for dining and olive oil tasting.

One key feature of the project is its union with the natural terrain. The architecture follows the site's contours, reducing environmental impact while enhancing visual harmony. Large glass openings strengthen the connection to the landscape and invite solar gain and natural ventilation, aligning with the project’s sustainability goals.

Complementing the design’s environmental strategies, material choices reflect the project’s focus on sustainability and regional identity. Natural stone clads the exterior walls, providing thermal mass and grounding the architecture in its local context. Inside, wood finishes create a warm, inviting atmosphere, while concrete elements offer structural stability and long-term durability.

A closer look at the architectural plans and sections reveals how spatial organization, material choices, and environmental considerations are interwoven throughout the design, offering insight into the project’s underlying logic and architectural intent.

In addition, the flexible living spaces accommodate a range of uses, from individual retreats to group gatherings, supporting a dynamic and inclusive hospitality experience.

Design Intent and Spatial Experience:

At its core, the design is conceived as a place of connection between people, architecture and landscape. Anchored by a central atrium that brings in natural light and ventilation, the Olive Oil Guest House balances comfort with environmental sensitivity. Living areas open out toward the olive groves, inviting guests to engage with the rhythms and textures of the local agriculture. The guest house is not just a place to stay, but an immersive experience of the local culture.

Further enhancing this connection, the inclusion of an olive oil tasting area within the guest house encourages guests to engage with the land’s produce, deepening their connection to local agricultural practices.

Ultimately, the Olive Oil Guest House unites form and function, blending hospitality with education. Its layout encourages social interaction without compromising privacy, supporting a range of guest experiences.

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge invites architects and designers to create iconic public sculptures for one of two sites in Saudi Arabia: Abu Hadriyah Road or the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar. Proposals should reflect Saudi identity, culture, and future aspirations.

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge is an international architecture and design competition inviting creatives to shape the future of Saudi Arabia’s public spaces. With a total prize fund of €50,000, the competition calls for sculptural proposals that merge cultural symbolism with innovative design, offering participants a chance to see their concepts brought to life in a rapidly transforming national context.

Organised by Buildner in partnership with the Mujassam Watan Initiative, the challenge focuses on two prominent locations: Abu Hadriyah Road, a major highway and gateway into the Eastern Province, and the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar, a pedestrian-focused waterfront district. Designers must select one site and develop a sculpture that engages with its surroundings—whether addressing the fast-paced dynamism of a transit corridor or creating moments of interaction along a coastal promenade.

Proposals should be bold, site-specific, and rooted in narrative—drawing on themes such as heritage, national identity, transformation, and dialogue. Environmental responsiveness, material durability, and feasibility are strongly encouraged, as winning projects may be selected for actual construction.

Each submission must include four A2 landscape presentation boards, a cover image, and a written project description. The competition is open to professionals and students alike, working individually or in teams of up to four people. No professional license is required.

Registration is open until July 24, 2025, with final submissions due by August 27, 2025. Winners will be announced on October 1, 2025.

Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge

Design iconic urban sculptures for the prestigious Mujassam Watan competition and compete for 50,000 €

50,000 € PRIZE project COMPETITION
Prize 50,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 24 July 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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