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Gabion Walls and Timber Framework Creating Shelters For Coastal Trekkers

Authors:
Taylor Van Ness, Ronn Daniel
Gabion Walls and Timber Framework Creating Shelters For Coastal Trekkers

Project in-detail

Constructed with gabion walls and locally sourced timber, this coastal shelter integrates seamlessly into its environment, providing a functional retreat for trekkers along the Amber Road.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using locally sourced timber to reduce environmental impact.
02
Gabion walls made from native stones enhance structural durability and aesthetic appeal.
03
The bent A-frame design maximizes views while maintaining stability against coastal elements.
04
Sleeping pods provide individual resting spaces within a communal environment.
05
Natural ventilation strategies are incorporated through insect screens and open layouts.

### Project Overview

Located along the Amber Road on Latvia's coastline, the design serves as a resting point for trekkers seeking respite in a natural setting. Crafted from locally sourced materials, it aims to create a harmonious relationship between built form and landscape while minimizing environmental disturbance. The conceptual framework focuses on facilitating a reflective space that allows visitors to appreciate both the forest and seaside contexts.

### Spatial Strategy

Each cabin accommodates four hikers, featuring sleeping pods designed to maximize openness and natural light. The layout encourages communal interaction while maintaining private resting areas. Elevated balconies provide vantage points for users to engage with the landscape, enhancing the connection between the built environment and surrounding natural elements. This thoughtful arrangement fosters a social atmosphere while allowing for moments of solitude.

### Materiality and Aesthetic Integration

The project employs locally sourced timber for structural integrity and warmth, complemented by gabion walls constructed from native stone. These walls not only enhance durability but also establish a visual connection to the geological characteristics of the region. Transparent materials, such as glass, facilitate unobstructed views of the seascape and interact with ambient light, further blurring the boundaries between the interiors and the exterior landscape. This approach underscores a commitment to sustainability, utilizing eco-friendly resources that enrich the sensory experience of the site.

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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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