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Clay and Glass Integration Amidst Native Landscapes for Sustainable Guest Accommodation

Author:
Cody Loeffen
Clay and Glass Integration Amidst Native Landscapes for Sustainable Guest Accommodation

Project in-detail

Incorporating clay bricks with expansive glass elements, the design seamlessly integrates into the native landscape while providing a sustainable guest accommodation that embraces local agricultural traditions.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates clay bricks as the primary structural material for thermal efficiency.
02
Features large glass openings that create visual connections with the surrounding olive landscape.
03
Utilizes a tiered layout to maximize views and natural light throughout the building.
04
Includes a communal outdoor area designed around existing olive trees for social gatherings.
05
Integrates native plant landscaping to enhance ecological sustainability and local identity.

### Project Overview

Located in the Barreira region of Portugal, the Olive Guest House is designed to harmonize architectural elements with the area's rich historical ties to olive cultivation. The intent is to foster a meaningful connection between the built environment and its natural surroundings, drawing on traditional concepts while providing contemporary amenities for users. The project emphasizes the intersecting narratives of agriculture and community, offering visitors immersive experiences related to local olive and wine culture.

### Spatial Organization

The architectural layout of the guest house is inspired by the form of olive trees, featuring a tiered arrangement that not only elevates the structure but also provides unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape. This design is organized into distinct zones: an **Active Zone**, which includes outdoor tasting areas and communal spaces for social interaction, and a **Quiet Zone**, dedicated to relaxation and personal reflection. The connectivity of these spaces is facilitated by a continuous pathway that encourages exploration while maintaining privacy in guest accommodations.

### Material Selection and Sustainability

The material palette has been carefully selected to enhance the relationship between the guest house and its environment. The primary use of clay bricks contributes thermal mass, while large glass openings ensure ample daylight and vistas of the landscape. Concrete serves as a durable structural component, complemented by timber in ceilings and furnishings to promote warmth and connection to nature. Native plant species in the landscaping reinforce ecological sustainability and assist in achieving low-impact integration with the local ecosystem. The design also demonstrates a commitment to sustainability through the use of local materials, minimizing transportation emissions and optimizing natural light for passive heating and cooling.

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

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
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100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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