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Circular Huts with Concrete Roofs and Reflective Water Features for Creative Retreats

Authors:
James Maurer, Alex Villa
Circular Huts with Concrete Roofs and Reflective Water Features for Creative Retreats

Project in-detail

Experimenting with circular forms and incorporating reflective water features, the design blends concrete and natural elements to create intimate spaces that encourage creativity and contemplation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Huts utilize circular forms to enhance unity and foster connection to nature.
02
Reflective water features are integrated into the courtyards for meditation and contemplation.
03
Concrete roofs provide durability while minimizing maintenance in a coastal environment.
04
High-efficiency insulation improves energy performance and comfort year-round.
05
The layout promotes a balance of solitude and community interaction among occupants.

The Pāvilosta Poet Huts are located on the coast of Pāvilosta, Latvia, designed to promote reflection and creativity. They respond to their natural surroundings, offering spaces that encourage deep thinking and artistic expression. The overall concept focuses on creating a harmonious relationship between people and nature, inviting a connection between the built environment and personal experiences.

Spatial Arrangement

The layout consists of a series of interconnected circular huts that form intimate courtyards. This design facilitates both solitude and community, allowing for moments of quietude as well as opportunities for social interaction. The circular shapes emphasize unity and continuity, reflecting the organic forms found in nature.

Material Selection

Materials are chosen carefully to support both function and sustainability in the huts. The concrete roof is cast in place and features integral coloring, which contributes to strength and visual cohesion. A waterproofing membrane protects the structures from the coastal elements, while the use of double glazing combined with operable clerestory windows ensures proper ventilation and light control. Additionally, high-efficiency phenolic foam enhances thermal performance, making the huts more energy-efficient.

Sensory Engagement

The design is aimed at engaging the senses and enhancing the experience of those who inhabit the huts. Water plays an important role, incorporated through meditative pools and reflecting surfaces that add tranquility to the courtyards. These features deepen the connection to the environment and create a peaceful atmosphere that supports creativity and introspection.

Environmental Integration

The Poet Huts are carefully integrated into their coastal environment, considering the natural landscape and its ecological characteristics. The design maintains a relationship with historical architectural styles present in the region while introducing contemporary approaches. The interaction between the huts and the coastal scenery includes the sounds and sights of the sea, enriching daily experiences for visitors and residents alike.

The dynamic qualities of the landscape harmonize with the architectural forms, creating spaces that are at once calming and inspiring. Each hut encourages an active engagement with the natural world, allowing occupants to immerse themselves in their surroundings while reflecting on their thoughts and creativity.

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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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