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Bat Tower and Courtyard Blend in Artistic Residence by the Lake

Author:
Ronet Escalante
Bat Tower and Courtyard Blend in Artistic Residence by the Lake
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A unique bat tower serves as a focal point within a residence designed for artists, featuring a multipurpose courtyard that fosters community engagement while seamlessly connecting to the natural landscape of Lake Cernostes.
5 key facts about this project
01
A dedicated bat tower enhances local biodiversity and supports wildlife.
02
The building integrates a multipurpose courtyard for community engagement.
03
Large openings allow abundant natural light and views of the surrounding landscape.
04
Accessible design features ensure inclusivity for artists with disabilities.
05
Distinctive spatial organization promotes both individual work and collaborative spaces.

Atelier 21 is located on the south shore of Lake Cernostes in Latvia. It provides a space for artists to work, creating a setting that balances inspiration and collaboration. The design emphasizes the importance of both public and private areas, allowing artists to interact while also having the opportunity for personal reflection. This careful consideration of space is crucial to the process of creativity.

Spatial Organization

The layout features a well-planned arrangement of areas for various functions. There are two main entrances—one from the south and another from the north—that lead into an open courtyard, designed for communal use. Visitors are guided through internal corridors to painters' workshops and galleries, which are complemented by living spaces aimed at comfort. A specific tower for bats is integrated into the design, reflecting a commitment to supporting local wildlife and environmental awareness.

Design Aesthetics

The appearance of Atelier 21 is characterized by a minimal color palette that enhances its forms without distracting from the natural beauty surrounding it. While the materials are not explicitly detailed, large openings in the vertical panels allow considerable daylight into the interior. This arrangement helps to connect indoor spaces with the outdoors, making nature a visible part of daily activities and reinforcing the project's embrace of its ecological surroundings.

Accessibility Considerations

The design includes provisions for individuals with disabilities, showcasing a commitment to inclusivity. This attention to accessibility opens the space to a wider range of users, ensuring that various individuals can engage with the artistic community. The flexible spatial organization promotes both solo and group activities, making the environment adaptable for different types of creative expressions.

The bat tower stands out as a key feature, marking the southern entrance of the building. It serves as a habitat for local bat species while also providing a visual focal point. This element connects the architecture with the local ecosystem, reminding visitors of the delicate balance between built environments and nature.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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Competition organisers

The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

MICROHOME

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

Open architecture competitions

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    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
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Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 18 September 2025

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