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Glass Brick Walls and Timber Modules Create a Creative Residency Near Černostes

Author:
Mat Winter
Glass Brick Walls and Timber Modules Create a Creative Residency Near Černostes

Project in-detail

Timber modules and glass brick walls come together to create a unique residency for painters, thoughtfully designed to foster creativity while offering stunning views of the nearby lake.
5 key facts about this project
01
Timber modules form the structural basis, minimizing the need for concrete.
02
Glass brick walls allow natural light to penetrate while maintaining privacy.
03
A central courtyard encourages community interaction among residents.
04
Two large workshop spaces feature adaptable layouts for collaborative projects.
05
Residences include a shared living area, enhancing family engagement within the artistic community.

The modular art house located near Černostes Ezers serves as both residence and workspace for painters involved in a collaborative residency. The design is deeply connected to the landscape, combining private living areas with shared workspaces. The main concept revolves around creating supportive environments that encourage creativity while allowing for individual artistic practices and the need for solitude.

Spatial Organization

The layout features a thoughtful arrangement that separates living spaces from the workshop through a central courtyard. This courtyard acts as a communal area, fostering interaction among residents. By organizing the spaces this way, the design supports both collaborative projects and personal reflection. The two-storey residences include a shared living area on the first floor, promoting family engagement amid the artistic pursuit.

Workshop Design

The workshop incorporates two large working areas that are divided by a central core that contains essential facilities, including bathrooms and sinks for artists. This arrangement allows artists to maintain their own work routines while also providing opportunities for collaboration. Curtains can be drawn to create visual barriers, which adds to the flexibility of the workspaces and accommodates various activities.

Material Selection

The structure is built using repeated timber modules, which provide the backbone of the design. This choice gives the building a warm quality and reduces the need for concrete, contributing to sustainable building practices. Glass brick walls are integrated throughout, allowing natural light to fill the interior spaces, creating a bright and inviting environment that supports artistic work. Inside, plywood is used for wall surfaces in the residences and barn, offering practical surfaces for creative exploration.

Connection to Landscape

A key aspect of the design is the focus on views of the nearby lake, linking the building with its natural surroundings. The layout promotes easy access to these views, enhancing the living and working experience of the residents. Connecting the indoor spaces to the outdoors enriches the atmosphere and contributes positively to the objectives of the residency program.

Through careful planning, the design emphasizes both individual and communal aspects of creativity. The combination of functional spaces, thoughtful material choices, and a strong connection to the landscape helps create an environment conducive to artistic exploration and collaboration.

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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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