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Cultivating Community Within Green Spaces and Natural Wood Elements

Authors:
Daniel Derflinger, Maximilian Weinöhl, Mantas Indriliunas
Cultivating Community Within Green Spaces and Natural Wood Elements

Project in-detail

With dedicated tea fields flowing into functional communal spaces, the design emphasizes a cohesive connection to nature while providing a serene environment for tea cultivation and enjoyment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Dedicated tea fields integrated directly into the landscape enhance the cultivation experience.
02
The design incorporates a workshop specifically for tea production and preparation.
03
Common spaces are positioned to foster community interaction during tea consumption.
04
Rest areas are designed to provide tranquil views of the surrounding nature.
05
Charred wooden shingles are used for improved durability and aesthetic appeal.

The design presents a residential house integrated with tea fields and a small tea house, located within a peaceful natural landscape. This setting allows people to cultivate and enjoy tea, providing an escape from the demands of city life. The concept emphasizes the importance of connecting with nature while celebrating the cultural significance of tea production and enjoyment.

Design Concept and Functionality

The layout of the house is organized to encourage both group interactions and private moments. A workshop serves as the center for tea production, creating an environment for activities from harvesting to preparation. This space reinforces the bond between people and their agricultural lifestyle, promoting an engaging approach to tea-making.

Spatial Arrangement and Flow

Next to the workshop, a kitchen is designed for easy movement and conversation during tea preparation. This closeness ensures a smooth transition from making to enjoying tea. The adjacent eating area allows for shared dining experiences, enhancing social connections among residents. This arrangement provides spaces that balance togetherness and relaxation.

Integration with Nature

The garden plays a key role in the overall design. It is not just decorative; it is essential for the tea-making process. The garden encourages direct participation in cultivation, highlighting a commitment to sustainable practices. It is easily accessible from the kitchen, ensuring fresh ingredients are always available.

Upper Floor Spaces

On the upper floor, common spaces and rest areas are designed to offer quiet moments for reflection. These areas are intentionally separated from the busier spaces of the house, creating personal retreats where inhabitants can enjoy the views of the surrounding landscape. This layout contributes to a calming atmosphere, enhancing the daily experiences of the residents.

The design connects themes of tea culture, community, and nature in a meaningful way. Large windows allow sunlight to pour in, bathing the interior in warmth and creating an inviting environment that mirrors the natural processes involved in tea-making.

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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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