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Bringing Nature Inside With Gabled Spaces and Community-Focused Design

Author:
Matt Peterka
Bringing Nature Inside With Gabled Spaces and Community-Focused Design

Project in-detail

With a design that incorporates gabled structures and natural materials like wood and stone, the community fosters a deep connection to its landscape while providing functional spaces for tea making and communal gatherings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Community-focused design enhances interaction during the tea making process.
02
Occupiable windows create immersive connections with the surrounding landscape.
03
The layout includes a dedicated communal room for collaborative tea experiences.
04
The courtyard garden serves as a natural transition between indoor and outdoor spaces.
05
Living areas balance privacy with communal engagement in a thoughtful arrangement.

The Gabled Community is located in a peaceful landscape that enhances the experience of tea making, which lies at the project's core. It turns tea making into a shared and spiritual activity, focusing on the connection between people and nature. The design includes traditional gabled structures, creating a balance between the built environment and the natural surroundings while promoting interaction and contemplation.

Architecture Concept

The project prioritizes the relationship between the tea making process and its environment. By elevating this practice to a communal experience, it establishes a deep connection between guests and the landscape. The gabled roofs create a unified look and allow for varied interior experiences that cater to both group activities and moments of personal reflection.



Materiality

Wood and stone are the main materials throughout the Gabled Community, reinforcing its natural appearance. These materials are used in their raw state, keeping a physical connection to the environment while providing necessary support. The choice reflects a commitment to honesty and simplicity, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere within the community.



Spatial Organization

A large communal room is at the center of the design, specifically created for tea making, featuring large tables that encourage collaboration among guests. This room is positioned to take full advantage of views of the surrounding landscape, ensuring that activities indoors remain linked to the outdoor setting. A courtyard garden next to the communal room serves as an essential space that encourages a flow between inside and outside.



Living Spaces

The living areas in the Gabled Community are arranged to provide a balance between privacy and communal interaction. The existing barn is repurposed for shared functions, while additional gabled forms are set aside for personal sleeping spaces. This setup fosters a spirit of community while still allowing individuals to find personal space, helping them engage with their environment.



Window placement throughout the structure enhances the feeling of connection to nature. Occupants can easily interact with the outdoors, enjoying different views of the landscape from various spaces in the community.

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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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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