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Cork Cladding and A-Frame Design in a Forest Retreat

Authors:
Bradley Van dijk, Elliott Beaver, Rory Avis-foster
Cork Cladding and A-Frame Design in a Forest Retreat

Project in-detail

Constructed with locally sourced pine and cork cladding, the design integrates an A-frame structure that immerses users in the Latvian forest while providing a functional retreat for tea brewing and meditation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with locally sourced pine, enhancing sustainability.
02
Cork cladding provides a natural texture and insulation.
03
Features an A-frame design that echoes local tree forms.
04
Large acrylic windows create visual connections to the forest.
05
Customizable meditation space with adaptable storage solutions.

The Ozolint Tea Hut Proposal is located in the tranquil forests of Latvia. It serves as a retreat for trekkers, allowing them to engage with nature through activities such as tea brewing and meditation. The design is inspired by traditional Latvian architecture, with a pitched roof that resembles the trees surrounding the hut, creating a harmonious relationship between the structure and its natural environment.

Design Concept

The core idea behind the design is to offer an immersive experience that balances personal reflection with community interaction. The layout includes distinct spaces for sleeping, working, and gathering, enabling users to customize their experience based on their own needs and the changing seasons. The building invites guests to connect deeply with the landscape.

Material Selection

The structure features a simple A-frame design made from locally sourced pine. This material is chosen for its strength and durability, making it suitable for the varied weather conditions in the area. Pine also has good thermal properties, which helps maintain a comfortable interior.

Cork is another key material in the design, used for both the exterior and interior finishes. As a sustainable option, cork adds a natural texture and warmth to the spaces, reinforcing the connection to the environment. Its environmentally friendly nature supports the project's dedication to ecological responsibility.

Spatial Features

Large acrylic windows are an important feature of the cabin, providing plenty of natural light and views of the surrounding forest. This design creates a strong relationship between indoor and outdoor environments, encouraging users to appreciate the natural beauty at all times. Additionally, hooks in the pine framing are available for hanging plants and tools in the meditation area, encouraging a personalized and adaptive space.

The design also includes practical external storage at the base of the structure, which allows for the organization of additional items while maintaining a cohesive appearance with the landscape. Overall, the cabin fosters a connection to nature through its thoughtful design and materials, inviting occupants to gather and reflect in a peaceful setting.

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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

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