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Charred Wooden Shingles Elevate Secluded Timber Retreats in Latvian Landscape

Author:
jan habraken
Charred Wooden Shingles Elevate Secluded Timber Retreats in Latvian Landscape

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and a staggered layout, this retreat harmonizes with the Latvian landscape, providing a serene environment for relaxation and connection with nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and weather resistance.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels to optimize structural integrity and sustainability.
03
Features a staggered layout that provides panoramic views while ensuring privacy.
04
Adopts a bent A-frame design for improved wind resistance and aesthetic cohesion.
05
Designed to blend seamlessly with the Latvian landscape, promoting environmental harmony.

## Project Overview
Located in the region of Riga, Latvia, the Amber Road Track Cabins are designed to provide quiet retreats that allow occupants to connect with the surrounding landscape. This project emphasizes a minimalist architectural approach that prioritizes materiality, spatial organization, and environmental integration.

## Spatial Strategy
The cabins employ a staggered configuration that grants each unit unobstructed views while preserving occupant privacy. This layout fosters a sense of community and seclusion, suitable for retreats. Each cabin's dual-aspect orientation ensures that both sides capture the scenic surroundings, creating a strong relationship between interior and exterior environments.

## Materiality and Sustainability
The exterior of the cabins features blackened timber cladding, offering a modern aesthetic along with durability against weather conditions, thereby reducing maintenance requirements. This material choice is visually complementary to the surrounding landscape. Inside, lighter timber materials, likely plywood, contrast with the darker exterior, providing warmth and comfort. Large windows framed in minimalist black accents enhance transparency and visual connections to nature. Overall, the use of resilient materials minimizes environmental impact and supports sustainable architectural practices.

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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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