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Charred Wooden Shingles and Heat-Treated Timber Craft a Modern Retreat for Hikers

Author:
Nick Rados
Charred Wooden Shingles and Heat-Treated Timber Craft a Modern Retreat for Hikers

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and heat-treated timber, this modern retreat integrates seamlessly with its coastal landscape, providing a functional space for hikers to connect with nature and each other.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes shou-sugi-ban technique for charred wood, enhancing durability.
02
Features a bent A-frame design that optimizes structural integrity.
03
Incorporates large glass openings for natural light and landscape views.
04
Emphasizes communal spaces to foster interaction among hikers.
05
Constructed with locally sourced materials to reduce environmental impact.

## Overview

Embers Trail Camp is situated along the upper section of the E9 trail on the coast of Latvia, designed as a retreat for hikers that integrates functionality with environmental sensitivity. The name "Embers" references both amber, a significant local natural resource, and the communal aspect of gathering around a campfire, a tradition among hikers.

## Spatial Strategy

The camp's layout is organized to promote interaction while allowing for individual privacy. Key areas include a Trading Post, serving as a social hub for exchanges; a Campfire Area, which functions both as a cooking site and a gathering point; a Kitchen Lounge and Gear Storage, which enhance the user experience by facilitating meal preparation and secure equipment storage; and Sleeping Quarters, designed for privacy and maximizing light while promoting community living.

## Materiality and Sustainability

The construction utilizes heat-treated wood in the *shou-sugi-ban* style, enhancing durability through charring and creating a textured surface that resonates with the natural environment. The design incorporates large glass openings to facilitate natural light and views, while metal fixtures provide structural support and aesthetic continuity. This careful selection of materials underscores a commitment to sustainability and local context, ensuring that the camp harmonizes with its surroundings.

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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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