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Elevated Timber Huts Surrounded by Wildflowers in a Coastal Community

Authors:
Kaikang Shen, Yijia Wang, Yaran Zhang
Elevated Timber Huts Surrounded by Wildflowers in a Coastal Community

Project in-detail

Elevated above a vibrant landscape of wildflowers, a series of timber huts embody traditional Latvian architecture while fostering a communal environment for artistic expression and retreat.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated huts provide immersive views of the surrounding wildflower landscape.
02
Public courtyards serve as central hubs to encourage social interaction among residents.
03
Design incorporates traditional Latvian architectural forms with modern construction techniques.
04
Northern site area is reserved for future development, promoting long-term adaptability.
05
Timber cladding enhances durability while blending with the natural environment.

The design features a collection of poet huts that blend into a natural landscape characterized by grasslands, situated near Pavilosta, Latvia, close to the Baltic Sea. The project emphasizes community while offering individual spaces for residents to retreat and find inspiration. By incorporating elements of traditional Latvian architecture with contemporary design, the concept highlights a connection between buildings and their environment.

Conceptual Framework

The central idea of the design is to create a village-like atmosphere. The poet huts are scattered throughout the site, promoting social interaction among residents while allowing for personal privacy. This approach reflects the belief that larger structures can represent smaller communities, helping to facilitate meaningful relationships among those who live there.

Spatial Organization

The layout is carefully planned to position the poet huts and shared areas on the southern side of the property. This arrangement takes advantage of natural light and scenic views, ensuring a welcoming environment. The northern part of the site remains reserved for future development, allowing flexibility for growth. Central public courtyards act as gathering spaces, encouraging residents to come together and engage in communal activities.

Structural Design Elements

Elevating the huts adds a unique dimension to the design. The raised structures give the impression of floating above a sea of wildflowers, enhancing the connection to the surrounding nature. This choice not only showcases the relationship between the buildings and the landscape but also enriches the experience for those who live in the huts.

Materials and Construction

The materials chosen for the construction reflect local building practices. Timber cladding, battens, plywood, gypsum board for wind protection, flooring planks, and concrete strip foundations are all integrated into the design. These selections reinforce the project’s commitment to durability and functionality. The use of natural materials promotes harmony with the environment and maintains architectural integrity.

Each hut has a double-pitched roof, reminiscent of traditional log cabins. The design allows residents to engage deeply with their surroundings, making the experience of living in this setting both enriching and connected to nature.

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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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