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Elevated Solitude in Glass and White Walls for Artistic Retreat

Author:
Mohamed Emara
Elevated Solitude in Glass and White Walls for Artistic Retreat

Project in-detail

Elevated above the landscape, the first-floor residence combines limited openings and white walls with a ground-level home characterized by extensive glass, creating a reflective environment tailored for artistic expression.
5 key facts about this project
01
Ground-level residence integrates with existing vegetation for natural harmony.
02
First-floor design prioritizes privacy with limited openings for controlled views.
03
Extensive glass enhances internal light and connection to the landscape.
04
White walls in the first-floor residence provide a neutral backdrop for creativity.
05
Dual residences support contrasting artistic experiences of solitude and engagement.

The design is located in the Latvian countryside and aims to create a living environment for artists. It serves as a temporary residence, providing space for creative work while connecting to the natural surroundings. The main idea is to support the relationship between the artist and their environment, showing how the design can influence creativity.

Dual Residences

Two residences make up the design, each offering a different experience for its users. The ground-level residence features an open layout that connects well with the landscape. Large glass windows create a feeling of openness and allow natural light to fill the space. This design encourages a strong connection between indoor activities and the outside world, inviting artists to engage with their environment easily.

Introverted Space

In contrast, the first-floor residence has a more private character. Elevated above the ground-level home, it includes fewer windows, controlling what residents can see. This choice emphasizes privacy and quiet reflection. The white walls create a calming atmosphere, enabling artists to focus on their creative work without distractions. This space encourages solitude, ideal for deep thinking and introspective practices.

User Experience

The two residences highlight different ways of living and working. While the ground-level home promotes interaction with nature and neighbors, the first-floor space allows for time alone. This mix of openness and privacy caters to varying artistic needs and preferences. By providing these two options, the design supports different styles of creativity.

Design Outcome

Materials play a role in achieving the design goals. The extensive glass in the ground-level residence enhances visibility and strengthens the connection to nature. On the other hand, the predominantly white walls of the first-floor residence create a neutral backdrop that fosters focus. Together, these elements illustrate how thoughtful design can influence and nurture an artist's work.

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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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