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Dark Flooring and Natural Light Enhance Communal Reflection in a Serene Retreat

Author:
Aaron damian Ramirez montero
Dark Flooring and Natural Light Enhance Communal Reflection in a Serene Retreat

Project in-detail

With dark flooring that grounds its interior and expansive light-filled spaces, the design creates a tranquil environment for communal reflection and tea preparation.
5 key facts about this project
01
The old barn serves as a symbolic threshold connecting past and present.
02
Dark flooring enhances the sense of immersion and introspection throughout the interior.
03
Large apertures in the meditation hall maximize natural light and connection to the outdoors.
04
The tea workshop centers around a communal table, fostering social interaction among guests.
05
Shared kitchen and spa facilities promote a sense of community and harmony.

The Ozolini Tea Makers Guest House is located in a peaceful setting that encourages reflection and shared experiences. It is designed to be an immersive space that connects visitors with nature, placing a strong emphasis on silence and simplicity. The building links the past with the present, inviting people to engage with their surroundings as they enjoy the process of tea-making.

Conceptual Framework
The design focuses on building a relationship with the natural environment while using uncomplicated forms and materials. An old barn serves as the reception area, acting as a doorway between history and modern functionality. This choice helps illustrate the continuity that exists between the barn and the main building, where the transition reflects the flow of time.

Spatial Organization
The arrangement of the spaces promotes easy movement among guests. There is a pathway that runs from the barn to the main building, guiding visitors through the property and enhancing their connection to the landscape. Inside the main building, shared amenities like a kitchen, bathrooms, and spa areas encourage interaction, helping foster a community atmosphere that aligns with the guest house's focus on calmness.

Light and Experience
The meditation hall is positioned next to the kitchen, and it features large windows that let in natural light. This hall serves as a quiet space for reflection, where visitors can find peace. The light changes throughout the day, creating different moods that connect the space with the changing environment outside.

Workshop and Interaction
The tea workshop features a large table designed for group activities. This area helps build a sense of community, allowing guests to engage in the ritual of tea preparation together. It highlights the connection to nature, turning a regular activity into a shared experience. The layout encourages social interaction, making tea-making not just a process but a bonding activity among visitors.

The use of dark flooring in key areas reinforces the grounding nature of the space. It complements the experience of being in the guest house, inviting moments of quiet contemplation while enhancing the simplicity of the surroundings.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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