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Cross-Laminated Timber House with Solar Greenhouse Overlooking the Lake

Authors:
Federica Accornero, Martina Battisti, Gianluca Arduino, Leonardo Dimaria
Cross-Laminated Timber House with Solar Greenhouse Overlooking the Lake

Project in-detail

A solar greenhouse integrates with a cross-laminated timber house, providing flexible living spaces and an art workshop that seamlessly connects to the serene lakeside environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
A solar greenhouse acts as a communal space and captures winter sunlight.
02
Cross-laminated timber panels provide structural integrity and promote sustainability.
03
Glazed walls enhance natural light and connect interiors visually with the lake.
04
Flexible workspaces in the art workshop allow for both collaboration and privacy.
05
Protected basements accommodate local bat habitats, supporting biodiversity.

The redevelopment of a lakeside site focuses on creating a painters' house and workshop that harmonize with the natural surroundings while addressing user needs. This project retains the existing structures’ footprints, which will be demolished and replaced by new buildings. The design concept emphasizes lake views and integrates functional spaces to enhance the overall experience.

Design Concept

The design prioritizes several essential elements: respect for the natural environment, an emphasis on views of the lake, the use of renewable energy, and the provision of flexible living and working arrangements. A walkway connects the new structures, providing easy access to the lake while considering local wildlife, such as having protected areas in the basements for bat populations. This pathway not only links the project site to the main road but also ensures year-round accessibility.

Spatial Organization

The layout of the painters' house consists of two apartments, each with two bedrooms located on the ground floor. The upper level is dedicated to living and kitchen spaces, designed to maximize the experience of lake views. A communal area sits between the two residences, surrounded by large glazed walls that allow sunlight to enter, turning it into a usable solar greenhouse during the winter months.

Workshop Integration

The design of the painters' workshop centers on flexibility, accommodating the diverse needs of the artists. Adaptable spaces within the workshop can be configured for communal events or separated into smaller rooms for individual projects through movable curtains. This versatility allows for both social interaction among artists and spaces for focused work.

Materiality and Sustainability

Drawing elements from Latvian vernacular architecture, the design features ground floor cladding that resembles traditional stone basements, while the upper portions incorporate modern wooden cladding. The main structure utilizes laminated wood and cross-laminated timber walls. The roof is made of sheet metal, contributing to the durability of the buildings. Renewable energy systems, including wind turbines, are included, emphasizing a commitment to sustainability and enhancing the connection to the surrounding environment.

Large glazed walls in the communal area serve practical purposes while providing abundant natural light. This design decision enhances the indoor experience, allowing occupants to engage with the seasonal changes outside and the calming presence of the lake.

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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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