Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Charred Wooden Shingles and Reclaimed Timber Define Sustainable Lodging Along the Latvian Waterfront

Author:
Marudina Julia
Charred Wooden Shingles and Reclaimed Timber Define Sustainable Lodging Along the Latvian Waterfront

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and reclaimed timber, the design creates a series of self-contained cabins that harmonize with the Latvian landscape, offering an eco-conscious lodging experience along the waterfront.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and fire resistance.
02
Employs reclaimed timber to minimize environmental impact and promote sustainability.
03
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency and modern aesthetics.
04
Features a bent A-frame design that optimizes natural light and improves insulation.
05
Arranged in cabin clusters to encourage community interaction while maintaining privacy.

The Caramel Shore Traveller Rooms project is an architectural initiative located in Skārduna, Latvia. It focuses on creating sustainable accommodations along a picturesque waterfront. This project embodies a thoughtful integration of local architectural traditions with modern design principles, promoting environmental stewardship alongside guest comfort. The structure reinterprets traditional Latvian log house designs, emphasizing a connection to the cultural context and the surrounding landscape.

The primary function of the Caramel Shore Traveller Rooms is to provide a unique lodging experience for visitors. The layout consists of multiple individual cabins organized to ensure privacy while maintaining communal access to shared amenities. This organization enhances the overall experience, balancing solitude with opportunities for social interaction within the natural setting.

Unique Design Approaches and Architectural Elements

One notable aspect of the project is its emphasis on maintaining a dialogue between architecture and nature. The project utilizes reclaimed wood and other locally sourced materials, minimizing ecological impact while fostering a sense of place. The use of natural materials is not only functional but also aesthetic, aligning the structure with the environment.

The design incorporates significant glass elements, optimizing natural light and offering panoramic views of the waterfront. This design choice creates a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces, enhancing the guests' experience and encouraging outdoor engagement.

The cabins feature rounded forms, differentiating them from typical rectangular structures. This design approach not only reflects historical Latvian architecture but also aids in structural performance, improving both insulation and durability. Interiors are efficiently organized, with a focus on providing essential amenities while maximizing space.

Community spaces within the project include a reception area that promotes interaction among guests and staff. This open-concept design facilitates an inviting atmosphere, further enhancing the lodging experience. Outdoor areas such as terraces and gardens provide multifunctional spaces for relaxation and social activities, encouraging a lifestyle that values community and well-being.

Exploring Detailed Architectural Elements

To gain deeper insights into the Caramel Shore Traveller Rooms project, consider examining the architectural plans, sections, and designs. These documents provide essential details regarding the layout, functionality, and materiality of the design. Analyzing these components can reveal the underlying architectural ideas that drive the project’s success in integrating sustainable practices with local culture.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

`
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
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy