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Curvilinear Roof Form Embracing Thermal Brick and Hempcrete for Sustainable Rural Retreat

Authors:
Sucheta Nadig, Guillaume Fillion Lapointe
Curvilinear Roof Form Embracing Thermal Brick and Hempcrete for Sustainable Rural Retreat

Project in-detail

Utilizing curvilinear roof forms and a combination of thermal brick and hempcrete, the design creates a sustainable guest house that harmonizes with its rural landscape while providing inviting communal and introspective spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes a curvilinear roof to enhance water management and aesthetics.
02
Incorporates a meditation grotto that fosters introspection within the landscape.
03
Employs hempcrete for its lightweight and sustainable properties.
04
Features a reflection pool that encourages a calming environment.
05
Utilizes extensive glazing to create a seamless indoor-outdoor experience.

### Project Overview
The Furrow is a residential guest house strategically positioned in a tranquil rural landscape, designed to create functional accommodations while enhancing the experience of nature. This project emphasizes a strong relationship between the built environment and its pastoral surroundings, reflecting contemporary architectural practices that prioritize both utility and a connection to the natural world.

### Spatial Connectivity and Design Philosophy
The design prioritizes a connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, exhibiting a south-facing orientation that maximizes natural light and views. This orientation contributes not only to the aesthetic quality of the building but also to its energy efficiency, optimizing natural heating and cooling throughout the seasons. The architecture draws upon traditional farm structures, reinterpreting them with modern materials and design techniques, fostering an immersive experience within its landscape.

### Material Selection and Sustainability
A diverse selection of sustainable materials underpins the construction of The Furrow, reflecting a commitment to both durability and environmental responsibility. The use of thermal brick provides natural insulation, while hempcrete contributes to thermal efficiency with a low carbon footprint. Precast concrete beams ensure structural integrity across larger spaces, and terracotta insulated clay blocks enhance thermal performance and moisture resistance. Additionally, wood framing, exposed cork insulation, and hand-troweled lime plaster are employed to create a warm, inviting interior, while expansive glass window systems enhance the spatial connection to the landscape outside.

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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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