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Charred Wood Walls Framing Community Oasis in Kemeri Bog

Authors:
Frederick Biehle, Erika Hinrichs, Anna Oldakowski
Charred Wood Walls Framing Community Oasis in Kemeri Bog

Project in-detail

Charred wood walls create a striking visual contrast against the natural landscape, framing an inviting visitor center that serves as a hub for education and community interaction in the Kemeri Bog.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wooden shingles enhance durability while providing a distinctive aesthetic.
02
The design incorporates a bent A-frame structure for both function and visual interest.
03
Surrounding pathways promote accessibility and connection to the natural landscape.
04
The layout features dedicated zones for education, relaxation, and community activities.
05
Natural light is thoughtfully integrated, creating dynamic interior environments throughout the day.

The architectural proposal integrates built forms with natural landscapes to create a space defined by its relationship between land and sky. Located near the extensive Kemeri Bog, the concept features a man-made clearing that serves as a vertical axis intersecting with the horizon. There is a horizontally extended path that enhances accessibility, inviting visitors to explore the area. This design facilitates both contemplation and learning.

Design Concept

A notable aspect of the plan enables knowledge gathering through a visitor center exhibition, while it also acts as a refuge. The spatial layout encourages engagement with the environment, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the experience. Carefully arranged pathways guide individuals through the space, ensuring they can move freely and comfortably while discovering its various functions.

Functional Spaces

The design includes well-defined zones dedicated to relaxation, education, and community interaction. These areas work together to enhance the user experience. The visitor center combines educational facilities with social spaces, effectively linking the museum and café. The inclusion of amenities such as camping facilities, bathrooms, a playground, and a bus drop-off supports diverse visitor needs, reinforcing the role of the center as a multifunctional hub.

Material Use

The structure features enclosing walls made from Shou Sugi Ban charred wood. This traditional Japanese method provides durability and maintains the aesthetic appeal of the wood. As a result, the building harmonizes with its surroundings. Using this type of material reflects an awareness of environmental concerns and cultural practices that enhance the design’s connection to place.

Design Experience

Thoughtful integration of functional areas and attention to materials create an architecture that responds to the landscape and its functions. Natural light filters through the scrim-like walls, offering changing illuminations within the interior environment throughout the day. This interaction enriches the sensory experience, allowing users to connect with their surroundings as they navigate through different spaces. The design invites exploration and reflection, making the journey an essential part of the overall 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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