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Charmed By Charred Wood Shingles And Sustainable Glass Facades In A Wellness Retreat

Authors:
Nayla Arida Abboud, Shirine Sbaiti
Charmed By Charred Wood Shingles And Sustainable Glass Facades In A Wellness Retreat

Project in-detail

Incorporating charred wood shingles and expansive glass facades, the design seamlessly merges with its natural surroundings to create an adaptable wellness retreat focused on relaxation and rejuvenation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with charred wooden shingles for superior durability and fire resistance.
02
Features cross-laminated timber panels to enhance structural stability.
03
Incorporates a bent A-frame design for optimized snow management and aesthetics.
04
Utilizes large glass facades to maximize natural light and views of the landscape.
05
Includes a modular layout, allowing for flexible use of space and future expansion.

### Overview

Located in rural Latvia, the Blue Clay Country Spa is designed to foster a harmonious relationship between architecture and the natural landscape. The project consists of several interconnected structures that prioritize flexibility and sustainability, while adopting contemporary organic forms inspired by the local environment. The design aims to create a tranquil atmosphere conducive to wellness, integrating the built elements into the surrounding terrain.

### Site Integration and Modular Framework

The site responsiveness is a key focus of the spa's design. The structures are strategically positioned to enhance views of the natural scenery, employing a modular approach that allows for variation in orientation, consequently promoting a connection with the landscape. Each architectural module, including freestanding elements and viewing alcoves, contributes to a cohesive site layout while enabling future adaptability and expansion.

The architecture features varied heights and roof forms to address local climate needs, including slanted roofs that facilitate snow shedding and maximize daylight. Roofs are equipped to channel rainwater to storage systems, reinforcing the project's commitment to self-sustainability.

### Material Utilization

Careful selection of materials informs both the aesthetic character and functional performance of the spa. Natural wood cladding offers warmth and integrates with the locale, while large panes of glass enhance natural lighting and views, contributing to a serene environment. Steel provides structural integrity, particularly in the roofing system, while concrete underlies the flooring, balancing the lightweight elements of the design with necessary stability.

The design incorporates advanced sustainability measures, including wall and ceiling insulation for thermal efficiency, solar panels for renewable energy harnessing, and a snow melting system to facilitate maintenance during winter months. These elements collectively emphasize the project’s goal of reducing its ecological footprint while enhancing user experience.

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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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