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Double-Skin Huts in a Lush Forest Context with Natural Materials

Author:
Sofia Zuccato
Double-Skin Huts in a Lush Forest Context with Natural Materials

Project in-detail

Constructed with a double-skin façade of polycarbonate and timber, the huts provide a sustainable living environment that seamlessly integrates with the forest, offering diverse accommodations for relaxation and communal gatherings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with a double-skin façade for enhanced insulation and light management.
02
Incorporates natural ventilation through strategically placed skylights and apertures.
03
Huts are oriented to mitigate strong winds while maximizing views of the landscape.
04
Features a variety of hut sizes to accommodate different group dynamics and activities.
05
Includes a dedicated meditation and gathering hut fostering community engagement.

The Pāvilosta Poet Huts are located in Pavilosta, Latvia, designed to blend with the surrounding nature while serving multiple purposes. This project consists of nine distinct huts that offer accommodations for various group sizes, along with communal spaces for dining and gathering. Drawing inspiration from the arrangement of trees in a forest, the design allows the huts to fit comfortably into the landscape while taking into account factors such as wind direction and sunlight exposure.

Architectural Design

The huts are oriented along a north-east/south-west axis, which helps to reduce the effects of strong winds coming from the south-west. This strategic positioning improves comfort for occupants and enhances the views of the natural surroundings. The layout promotes interaction among guests while still providing privacy within individual spaces.



Material Use and Structure

Each hut features a double-skin façade that combines polycarbonate panels on the outside with glass and timber panels on the inside. This design creates an insulating air pocket that helps regulate temperature, keeping the huts warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The thoughtful selection of materials is important for the overall sustainability of the project, ensuring it can withstand local climate conditions.



Ventilation and Light

Natural light and airflow are key components of the design, accomplished through the use of skylights and openings. These features allow for fresh air to circulate throughout the huts, improving the indoor environment and connecting residents to the outside. The carefully chosen placements of these windows ensure that the interiors remain bright and inviting at different times of the day.



The layout includes not only private huts but also communal areas and a greenhouse. Spaces designated for meditation and gathering promote a sense of community among visitors. These design elements encourage engagement with both the architecture itself and the surrounding natural environment, enhancing the overall experience.

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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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