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Circular Design Featuring Natural Stone and Reclaimed Wood in Sustainable Hospitality

Authors:
Carla beatriz García, Alejandro Sago, Tomas Oscar Garcia
Circular Design Featuring Natural Stone and Reclaimed Wood in Sustainable Hospitality

Project in-detail

Utilizing a circular layout and integrating reclaimed wood with local stone, the design creates a welcoming space for community engagement and olive oil tasting in Portugal's rich agricultural landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Circular layout promotes community interaction at the center of the guest house.
02
Reclaimed wood sourced from local structures enhances sustainability and minimizes waste.
03
Natural stone elements blend the building with the surrounding landscape's topography.
04
Multi-purpose spaces designed specifically for olive oil tasting facilitate cultural engagement.
05
Accessible design features ensure inclusivity for all visitors, enhancing the guest experience.

### Project Overview
Located in the Portuguese countryside, the Olive Guest House is designed to harmonize with its rural landscape while reflecting the cultural significance of olive cultivation in the region. The project aims to create a multifunctional space for relaxation, olive oil tastings, and community engagement, prioritizing sustainable practices integral to the design.

### Spatial Organization
The guest house features a multi-level layout that supports both communal activities and individual privacy. The ground level includes a reception area and a multi-purpose space dedicated to olive oil tastings, fostering guest interaction with the local culture. On the first floor, dining and living areas promote socialization among guests, characterized by large windows that offer expansive views of the surrounding scenery. The second floor includes suite bedrooms designed for comfort and relaxation, with carefully placed windows to enhance natural light and maintain connections to the landscape. Additionally, a dedicated meditation and prayer space offers an inclusive environment for personal reflection.

### Materiality
The design employs a selection of materials reflecting sustainability and local tradition. Reinforced concrete provides structural integrity while contributing to a modern aesthetic. Wood sourced from native trees is used for paneling and frameworks, creating a warm atmosphere in line with the natural surroundings. Glass elements enhance transparency, allowing abundant natural light, while durable natural stone is used in outdoor areas to complement the aesthetic. This thoughtful approach to materiality not only aligns with the principles of sustainability but also enriches the guest experience, creating a seamless connection between the built environment and the landscape.

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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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