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Dry Stone Roofs and Phytodepuration in Vineyard Guest Homes

Authors:
James Awuy, Stevano Wicaksana, Nadia Raniya
Dry Stone Roofs and Phytodepuration in Vineyard Guest Homes
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Incorporating dry stone roofs and a phytodepuration cycle, the guest homes situated in a vineyard provide a sustainable retreat that emphasizes ecological integration while offering visitors a unique interaction with the natural landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates a natural phytodepuration cycle for water management.
02
Guest homes are elevated on stilts to minimize ecological impact.
03
Design draws influence from traditional Trullo architecture of Puglia.
04
Features dry stone roofs reflecting local building techniques.
05
Water curtain created from an existing irrigation channel enhances the landscape.

The design focuses on creating guest homes that harmonize with a vineyard setting in Italy. Situated in a landscape rich in history and winemaking culture, the project emphasizes a connection between the natural and built environments. The overall aim is to provide an immersive experience that highlights sustainability while offering comfortable living spaces for visitors.

Architectural Concept

Integration with the vineyard is key to the design. The guest homes are elevated on stilts, helping to reduce ecological impact by avoiding permanent footprints on the land. Their staggered and rotated arrangement provides privacy for each unit while allowing for a unique character. This thoughtful positioning ensures that the homes blend into the landscape rather than dominate it.

Water Management System

A notable element in the design is the phytodepuration cycle. This system uses natural methods for water purification, focusing on collecting rainwater and employing specific plants that help remove toxins. The result is a self-sustaining approach to water management that not only provides essential resources for the guest homes but also enhances the overall environmental quality.

Cultural Inspiration

The design draws heavily from traditional Trullo architecture found in the Itria Valley in Puglia, Italy. These structures are known for their circular shapes and corbelled roofs, and they serve as a cultural reference point for the project. The guest homes incorporate these architectural features through the use of dry stone roofs. This choice connects the new designs to the local building traditions, creating a sense of continuity and respect for the region's heritage.

Materiality and Design Details

Materials play an important role in the project. Stone is used for the dry stone roofs, reflecting local construction techniques, while wood creates a welcoming facade that adds warmth to the homes. Glass elements are included to promote transparency, allowing natural light to fill the interiors and connect the spaces to the vineyard outside. Additionally, water features, like an irrigation channel, contribute to the aesthetic and functional aspects of the design, creating a calming presence within the guest homes.

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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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