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Charred Wood Facade Nestled into Hillside Retreat with Skylights and Outdoor Living Spaces

Author:
Honggi Lim
Charred Wood Facade Nestled into Hillside Retreat with Skylights and Outdoor Living Spaces

Project in-detail

Characterized by its charred wood facade and expansive skylights, the cabin seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor living while offering a tranquil retreat within New Zealand's hillside landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with a charred wood facade that enhances weather resistance and aesthetic appeal.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels to optimize structural strength and sustainability.
03
Features extensive skylights that increase natural lighting and provide views of the night sky.
04
Designed with a bent A-frame structure to maximize space efficiency and integration with the landscape.
05
Includes an outdoor deck that extends living space and encourages connection with nature.
The Bon Voyage cabin project is a contemporary architectural design situated in the hillside terrain of New Zealand. This project emphasizes a seamless integration with its natural environment, inviting occupants to engage with the landscape while providing functional living space. The architecture combines aesthetic qualities with practical accommodations, creating a retreat ideal for both solitude and social interaction.

The primary function of the Bon Voyage cabin is to offer a comfortable living environment that promotes connection with nature. The design encompasses a communal living area along with private sleeping quarters, addressing the diverse needs of its users while ensuring privacy and interaction. The structure is characterized by its unique zoning, which encourages the flow of movement and socialization amongst occupants, as well as interaction with the surrounding landscape.

Design Features and Unique Approaches

The Bon Voyage cabin distinguishes itself through its thematic approach to architecture, embodying the concept of a journey. The architectural narrative is woven throughout the design, reflected in the spatial organization, material selection, and exterior form. Notable features include:

- The angled roof structure, also referred to as "The Boat," not only serves as a distinctive visual element but also symbolizes mobility and exploration. This sloped roof efficiently channels rainwater while enhancing the interior's spatial dynamics.

- The extensive use of local materials, such as black wood cladding and timber, promotes sustainability and reinforces a connection to the region’s natural attributes. The material palette resonates with the local context, ensuring that the cabin maintains a dialogue with its surroundings.

- Large sliding windows and open areas allow for maximum natural light penetration and provide unobstructed views of the scenic landscape, effectively blending the indoors with the outdoors. This design approach enhances the user's sensory experience and fosters a sense of tranquility.

- An outdoor deck serves as a transitional space, facilitating outdoor living and reinforcing the project's emphasis on the relationship between inhabitants and their environment.

Innovative Design Solutions

Further enhancing its distinctiveness, the Bon Voyage cabin employs innovative design solutions that address practical and aesthetic considerations.

- The interior layout features a carefully planned division between communal and private zones. Each area is designed to maximize comfort while promoting flexibility in how spaces are utilized.

- The inclusion of skylights allows for increased daylighting and enhances the cabin's connection to the sky, offering potential for stargazing and a greater sense of openness.

- The project reflects a commitment to eco-friendly practices through its integration of natural ventilation strategies, which help regulate indoor air quality and comfort, reducing reliance on mechanical systems.

For a comprehensive understanding of the Bon Voyage cabin's architectural significance, it is encouraged to explore the project's architectural plans, sections, and designs. These elements provide deeper insights into the innovative ideas and design strategies that define the cabin's unique architectural character.
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100,000€ Prize / 2025

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

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

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
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
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