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Framing Views with Natural Stone and Glass in a Serene Landscape Retreat

Authors:
Wilfred Leung, Siyao Zheng, Zack Lenza
Framing Views with Natural Stone and Glass in a Serene Landscape Retreat

Project in-detail

Natural stone walls and expansive glass elements define an intimate retreat that harmonizes with the Umbria landscape, providing guest accommodations that prioritize both privacy and communal experiences.
5 key facts about this project
01
Natural stone walls create privacy while framing views of the valley.
02
Guest houses utilize glass walls for maximum landscape connection.
03
A central courtyard encourages social interaction among guests.
04
The wine tasting room features a lifted roof for panoramic views.
05
Brick screens offer privacy and integrate small gardens into the design.

Tili Terrace is a thoughtful design located in the beautiful landscape of Umbria, aimed at integrating living spaces with nature. The focus is on creating a comfortable environment for visitors while encouraging social interaction. At the core of the concept are natural stone walls that serve to provide privacy and define open spaces, all while framing views of the surrounding valley.

Design Intent

The layout of Tili Terrace balances the need for privacy with opportunities for social engagement. A central courtyard connects various structures and acts as a gathering place for guests, allowing for shared experiences before and after events. This arrangement enhances the overall flow of the design, promoting a friendly atmosphere where people can come together.

Guest House Configuration

The guest houses are designed with glass walls on one or two sides, offering expansive views of the mountains and valley beyond. This openness maintains a strong connection to the landscape while also ensuring privacy from neighboring residences and roadways. Additionally, brick screens surrounding small gardens provide another layer of seclusion, enriching the sense of intimacy within the accommodations.

Tasting Room Design

One of the key features of Tili Terrace is the wine tasting room, which occupies an upper level of an existing building. Its elevated position includes a lifted roof that allows for sweeping views of the Umbria landscape. A vertical wall with punched openings serves as an inviting entry point, subtly referencing the winemaker's family history and linking personal narrative with the environment.

Material Application

The materials chosen for Tili Terrace reinforce its connection to the site. Natural stone walls anchor the buildings in the landscape, offering durability and a visual link to the surroundings. Brick screens serve both functional and aesthetic purposes, contributing to the overall design language. The addition of a secondary steel structure introduces a contemporary element, enhancing the architectural variety without disrupting the overall cohesiveness of the project.

The arrangement of spaces and the careful selection of materials create a setting that encourages interaction and provides quiet moments for reflection. Light plays a significant role in this design, with rays filtering through the various openings and casting changing shadows throughout the day, highlighting the unique character of this living space.

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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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