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Biodiversity-Focused Community Hall Featuring Residential Stone and Oak Wood Integration

Authors:
Alkis Dikaios, Athos Dikaios, Athos Dikaios, Stella Evelthontos
Biodiversity-Focused Community Hall Featuring Residential Stone and Oak Wood Integration

Project in-detail

Incorporating locally sourced oak wood and natural stone, the community hall seamlessly integrates with its environment while serving as a center for educational and recreational activities.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes locally sourced oak wood for structural elements and cladding.
02
Incorporates natural stone from the surrounding area for facade treatments.
03
Features a bent A-frame design that enhances spatial dynamics and aesthetics.
04
Includes green roofs designed to promote biodiversity and manage rainwater.
05
Integrates flexible spaces for diverse community activities and events.

## Project Overview

Located in the Madonna district of the Vidzeme region in eastern Latvia, the architectural design project is situated within a rural context characterized by its natural beauty and green spaces. The intent is to create a structure that fosters educational, recreational, and communal activities while adhering to principles of ecological consciousness and community participation.

## Conceptual Framework and Design Intent

The design concept, titled “One with Nature,” seeks to establish a connection between the built environment and the surrounding landscape. Influenced by local traditions and vernacular architecture, the project prominently features a barn-like event hall designed as a focal point. This facility facilitates eco-tourism while promoting appreciation for the local environment and serves as a platform for environmental education, incorporating spaces for yoga, meditation, and community gatherings.

## Materiality and Spatial Strategies

### Material Selection

The project utilizes materials that reflect its sustainable focus while enhancing visual appeal. Native oak wood is employed for wall cladding and roofing, providing warmth and effective insulation. Historical stone elements have been preserved and integrated, emphasizing local craftsmanship and history. The design also prioritizes the use of low-environmental impact materials that are locally sourced and energy efficient.

### Spatial and Environmental Strategies

Interior spaces feature large windows that maximize natural light and ensure adequate ventilation. High ceilings supported by exposed wooden trusses create a sense of openness. Smooth wooden wall treatments enhance acoustics and contribute to a calming atmosphere. Externally, eco-friendly pathways connect various areas of the site, designed to minimize ecological disturbance, while landscaped spaces including fruit and vegetable gardens promote biodiversity.

The building's design accommodates seasonal variations, integrating insulation for winter months and ventilation strategies for summer comfort. The multifunctional nature of the space encourages both individual wellness activities and community gatherings, fostering social interaction through communal terraces and shared areas.

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

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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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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