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Charred Wood and Cotto Brick Retreats Enhancing Vineyard Experiences

Authors:
Alba Duarte, Emanuel Grave, Marta Gonçalves, Klára Voráčová
Charred Wood and Cotto Brick Retreats Enhancing Vineyard Experiences

Project in-detail

Crafted from charred wood and traditional cotto bricks, the retreat harmonizes with the Monti Subasio landscape while offering a communal space for wine tasting and guest accommodation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted with repurposed cotto bricks from local heritage structures.
02
Includes private terraces for each guest house, enhancing outdoor connectivity.
03
Strategically incorporates rainwater collection systems for sustainability.
04
Features communal tables to promote social interaction among guests.
05
Surrounded by preserved pine trees, creating a natural entry point.

The Wine Story project is located in the foothills of Monte Subasio, near Assisi. It serves Tili Vini Italy, a boutique winery, and is designed to reflect the essence of a traditional village. Multiple buildings are organized to foster connection among guests while also providing private spaces. This careful arrangement creates strong ties between the architecture and the surrounding vineyards, enhancing the wine tasting experience.

Main Building Functionality

The main building is central to the project, incorporating a reception area, a wine tasting room, and a kitchen. The tasting room features a communal table that encourages guests to engage with one another. This setup not only facilitates social interaction but also allows visitors to immerse themselves in the views of the vineyards. The design promotes a sense of community, making it a welcoming space for all.

Guest House Layout

Guest houses are intentionally spaced to ensure privacy while maintaining easy access to shared areas. Each house consists of distinct living and sleeping sections, creating comfortable and peaceful retreats. Large windows in both living rooms and bedrooms frame views of the vineyards. This design choice connects indoor spaces with the natural beauty outside, allowing guests to enjoy the landscape from within.

Landscape Integration

The landscape design enhances the overall experience, with preserved pine trees marking the entrance. These trees guide visitors and create a natural transition into the space. Each guest house is paired with a unique fruit tree, inviting residents to engage with the local environment. Paths wind through the landscape, encouraging exploration and interaction, blending built spaces with nature.

Sustainable Practices

Sustainability practices play an important role in the design, reflecting the commitment to environmental responsibility. The project includes systems for rainwater collection, solar energy, and radiant heating. These features minimize ecological impact and promote energy efficiency. Materials such as wooden framing, charred wood cladding, and traditional handmade "cotto" bricks connect modern construction with local heritage. The interior finishes, including beige lime wash and polished concrete flooring, add warmth while providing a comfortable environment.

Natural light shifts throughout the day, emphasizing the unique qualities of the architecture and framing views of the surrounding vineyards. This encourages guests to engage with the landscape and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere offered by The Wine Story.

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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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