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Elevated Spaces with Thoughtful Zoning and Natural Integration

Authors:
Taylan Tekeli, Gokdeniz Cetin
Elevated Spaces with Thoughtful Zoning and Natural Integration

Project in-detail

With its thoughtful zoning and varying elevations, the design seamlessly integrates into the natural landscape, offering guests a unique experience of comfort and community in a thermal guest house setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Designed to enhance community interaction while maintaining privacy through thoughtful zoning.
02
Utilizes a bent A-frame structure for optimal integration with the surrounding landscape.
03
Features significant elevation changes that provide varied views and spatial experiences.
04
Emphasizes efficient circulation paths to minimize guest congestion throughout the building.
05
Prioritizes natural light through strategic window placements that frame outdoor scenery.

The Vogafjós Thermal Guest House is situated in the scenic area of the Vogafjós Farm Resort, designed to create a comfortable space for relaxation and community. The overall design aims to blend with the natural surroundings while providing key amenities for guests. The approach to architecture focuses on clear organization of space, promoting both social interaction and personal privacy.

Architectural Concept

The concept behind the Vogafjós Thermal Guest House emphasizes distinct zones within the building. Communal areas are separate from private spaces, encouraging guests to connect while providing retreats for solitude. The main entrance is thoughtfully placed to welcome visitors, guiding them into a central area that offers shared facilities. This design choice fosters a sense of community while ensuring guests feel at ease.

Spatial Organization

The layout of the guest house highlights efficient circulation paths that enhance the movement between spaces. Guests can navigate easily from one area to another, with clear routes that prevent crowding. This intentional design makes for a pleasant experience, allowing visitors to access amenities without hassle. The overall structure balances open areas with more intimate environments, catering to different needs.

Elevation and Topography

Elevation changes are an important aspect of the design, reflected in the levels indicated at +7.00, +5.95, +3.80, and 0.00. These variations in height engage with the natural landscape, offering visitors different views of the surroundings. This relationship with topography enriches the experience of the guest house, inviting exploration and interaction with the outside world.

Material Considerations

Although specific materials are not detailed in the presentation, a thoughtful selection would likely be based on the local context. Using materials that echo the natural environment supports a strong connection to the site. This choice enhances the overall aesthetic and complements the rustic character of the farm resort.

The arrangement of windows and outdoor spaces allows natural light to pour in, creating a warm atmosphere inside. This interplay of light helps to define the character of the guest house and ensures that the beauty of the surrounding landscape is always part of the 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

Enter an open architecture
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