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Charred Wood Shingles and Green Roofs Enhance Wellness Retreat in Natural Setting

Authors:
Eric Brooks, Brad Pineau, Keith Cash
Charred Wood Shingles and Green Roofs Enhance Wellness Retreat in Natural Setting

Project in-detail

Showcasing charred wood shingles and a green roof, the design integrates sustainable materials with the landscape to create a functional wellness retreat focused on relaxation and rejuvenation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Integrates a living green roof to enhance insulation and reduce runoff.
02
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for improved durability and aesthetic appeal.
03
Features cross-laminated timber panels to minimize carbon footprint.
04
Includes strategically placed water features to promote relaxation and tranquility.
05
Employs a bent A-frame design to optimize natural light and views.

## Overview
The Blue Clay Country Spa is situated in Kurzemes and aims to integrate wellness experiences with its natural environment. This design approach emphasizes aesthetic values, functional spaces, and sustainable practices, enhancing the local context while prioritizing user comfort and engagement with nature.

### Spatial Strategy
The architectural layout invites visitors on a journey of discovery, starting upon arrival with a clearly defined entry sequence. This transition guides guests from the external environment into a wellness-focused setting, fostering an atmosphere conducive to relaxation. The arrangement of treatment rooms and communal spaces encourages exploration, allowing users to experience elements of the spa progressively, thereby enhancing their overall engagement.

### Materiality and Construction Techniques
The selection of materials reflects the project’s commitment to sustainability and environmental integration. Wood serves as a primary material for structural elements and finishes, adding warmth. Extensive glazing facilitates natural light throughout the interiors, creating a connection with the surrounding landscape. Concrete is utilized for structural integrity, while green roof systems contribute to both sustainability and visual coherence with the topography. Construction methodologies prioritize efficiency, employing integrated vegetation layers and effective water management systems such as bio-swales to enhance ecological harmony.

The design incorporates dynamic roof features, which not only fulfill functional demands but also serve a sculptural role, optimizing natural light and ventilation. By thoughtfully considering the landscape, spaces within the spa are designed to provide uninterrupted views, facilitating a fluid interaction between indoor and outdoor environments. Flexibility in spatial design allows for varied uses, accommodating both private wellness treatments and larger communal gatherings.

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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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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