Get inspired!

16,544 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Gabion Structures and Local Timber Create Coastal Retreats Along the Amber Road

Authors:
Taylor Van Ness, Ronn Daniel
Gabion Structures and Local Timber Create Coastal Retreats Along the Amber Road

Project in-detail

Employing locally sourced gabion walls and natural timber, this coastal retreat seamlessly integrates with its surroundings while providing a welcoming haven for hikers along the Amber Road.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using locally sourced gabion walls filled with native stones and amber, enhancing regional identity.
02
The design incorporates a bent A-frame structure, optimizing space and stability against coastal winds.
03
Natural timber planks are used for flooring and roofing, fostering warmth and a direct connection to the environment.
04
Elevated platforms provide unobstructed ocean views while minimizing ecological impact on the surrounding landscape.
05
The modular layout allows for easy adaptability and potential expansion, catering to diverse group needs.
The architecture project along the Amber Road in Latvia presents a thoughtful exploration of how built environments can resonate with their natural surroundings while serving a functional purpose for visitors. This project is designed as a series of cabins that provide shelter and comfort for hikers traversing the stunning Latvian landscape. Focused on creating spaces that promote connection with nature, these cabins reflect an ethos of ecological responsibility and a deep appreciation for local culture.

At its core, the project symbolizes the convergence of human experience and environmental stewardship. By providing a refuge for trekkers, the architecture encourages users to pause and engage with the lush, coastal scenery while reflecting on their journey. The cabins are functionally designed to accommodate groups of four, striking a balance between communal experience and individual comfort. This multifunctionality underscores the project’s intent to foster social interaction while ensuring that each guest can find their own space to relax and recharge.

The architectural details are purposefully executed to enhance both usability and aesthetic coherence. The structures feature a modular approach, allowing flexibility in design and adaptability to site conditions. The organic forms of the cabins integrate with the undulating terrain, as well as with the surrounding coniferous forests and sandy beaches. This mindful placement ensures that the cabins remain unobtrusive, allowing the natural beauty of the landscape to take precedence while providing uninterrupted views of the horizon.

Materiality plays a pivotal role in the overall design and functionality of the project. Local timber planks are strategically utilized for the roof and flooring, imparting warmth and a strong connection to the region. The use of gabion walls constructed from native rocks and even pieces of amber highlights local geological features while serving important structural purposes. This approach towards material selection not only emphasizes sustainability but also provides an authentic linkage to the site, making the buildings an extension of the environment rather than a separate entity.

Furthermore, the design incorporates steel pipe and cable railings, ensuring safety without compromising the visual clarity of the cabins. The interior layout prioritizes an open-plan configuration to maximize natural light and airflow, creating spaces that are conducive to both communal gatherings and solitary reflection. Each cabin includes sleeping areas designed with comfort in mind, providing a restful environment that enhances the user experience.

The architectural design also accounts for the ecological consequences of construction. By employing locally sourced materials and minimizing site disruption, the project embraces a philosophy of sustainability that resonates throughout the design process. This mindful approach fosters an environmentally friendly practice, influencing both the construction methodology and the long-term impact of the structures on the landscape.

The project ultimately embodies unique design approaches that elevate the interaction between architecture and the natural world. By promoting harmony between the cabins and their surroundings, it serves not only as a physical experience but as a conceptual one, inviting visitors to reflect on their relationship with nature. The cabins act as a testament to human creativity, demonstrating how architecture can coexist with the environment rather than dominate it.

For those interested in delving deeper into the architectural nuances of this project, it is worthwhile to explore the architectural plans, sections, and various design elements that contribute to its overall vision. Engaging with these aspects will provide a richer understanding of the innovative ideas underpinning the architecture, helping to illuminate the significance of this thoughtful design endeavor.
Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #2
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

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
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 16544 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy