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Charred Wooden Shingles and OSB Panels Shape a Coastal Community Retreat

Author:
Enis Aldallal
Charred Wooden Shingles and OSB Panels Shape a Coastal Community Retreat

Project in-detail

Crafted with charred wooden shingles and oriented strand board, the retreat seamlessly integrates into its coastal setting, offering both solitude and community through thoughtfully designed poet huts and communal spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
The use of charred wooden shingles not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also provides superior weather resistance.
02
Each poet hut is designed as a modular unit, allowing for customizable configurations to suit individual needs.
03
The project incorporates native plant species in its landscaping to promote local biodiversity and minimize water consumption.
04
Large, strategically placed glazed windows optimize natural light while framing picturesque views of the surrounding coastal environment.
05
The elevated design of the huts minimizes site disruption, promoting ecological integrity and preserving the natural landscape beneath.
The architectural project "The Enmeshed Horizons" presents a compelling exploration of the relationship between human habitation and nature. Situated in a tranquil coastal setting, the project offers a thoughtful and site-responsive interpretation of modern architecture. The design seeks to reflect the characteristics of the surrounding environment, emphasizing sustainability and harmony with nature as core principles.

At its core, "The Enmeshed Horizons" serves as a multifunctional space designed for both communal activities and personal reflection. It comprises a central administrative building and a series of individual poet huts that promote a balance between community interaction and solitude. The architectural layout is meticulously planned to take advantage of the site's natural features, with thoughtful integration of pathways that mirror the organic alignment of local trails. This encourages movement through the landscape, inviting users to engage with the environment in meaningful ways.

The administrative building acts as the project's nucleus, facilitating various activities and community functions. Its design features ample glazed openings that flood the interior with natural light and offer vistas of the expansive landscape, creating an inviting atmosphere. The materiality of the building plays a crucial role in its overall aesthetic and performance. The use of oriented strand board panels, matt-finished wood, and pressure-treated wood battens demonstrates a commitment to sustainable construction methods while providing visual warmth and texture to the exterior.

The poet huts, in contrast, represent a more intimate architectural response. Designed as modular structures, they promote flexibility and cater to diverse user needs. Elevated on pilings, the huts minimize their ecological footprint and encourage the preservation of the natural landscape beneath. This careful consideration of placement and orientation allows the huts to offer privacy while remaining connected to the broader community space.

Landscaping within the project is integrally linked to its architectural considerations. The seascape pond is a strategic feature that enhances local biodiversity and provides aesthetic appeal. By using native plant species, the project not only maintains ecological balance but also reduces maintenance requirements, resulting in an architecture that aligns with environmentally responsible practices.

The project exemplifies unique design approaches that prioritize not just individual spaces but the collective experience of users within the landscape. The emphasis on creating spaces for contemplation, artistic expression, and community gathering reflects a profound understanding of how architecture can foster connections among people and their environment. The thoughtful arrangement of space, attention to materiality, and incorporation of natural elements all contribute to a cohesive and enduring design philosophy.

For those interested in further exploring this project, reviewing the architectural plans, sections, and specific design details of "The Enmeshed Horizons" will provide additional insights into its carefully crafted approach. These elements not only highlight the architectural ideas that underpin the design but also showcase the commitment to creating spaces that resonate with both users' needs and the natural landscape.
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MICROHOME
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100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
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Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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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