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Glazed Living Spaces with Lamellar Beams Overlooking Lake Gardens

Authors:
Stefano Piccinini, Simona Alesi
Glazed Living Spaces with Lamellar Beams Overlooking Lake Gardens

Project in-detail

A non-linear roofing design frames panoramic lake views while spacious, glazed living areas merge with landscaped gardens, supporting both artistic creation and residential comfort.
5 key facts about this project
01
The lower building serves as a single-story workshop positioned directly by the lake.
02
Large glazed areas are designed to maximize natural light and create views of the landscape.
03
The roof design features a non-linear trend that enhances visual access and sunlight.
04
A hanging garden terrace is created above the carpentry workshop for exclusive use.
05
The project includes small docks for boats, providing direct lake access.

The Brushstroke House is located in Latvia and aims to blend with its natural lakeside environment. It consists of two main buildings, designed to serve both living and creative functions. The concept focuses on connecting indoor spaces with the surrounding landscape, enhancing natural light and spatial openness to foster creativity and inspiration.

Building Composition

The design comprises two distinct structures that facilitate separation between work and living areas. The lower building serves as a workshop for painting and carpentry, situated closer to the water for artistic inspiration. Above it, the upper building contains two residences spread across two floors, aligned parallel to the workshop. This layout creates a clear division of purposes while maintaining a coherent visual relationship with the environment.

Architectural Plan

Natural light and open views are fundamental features of the architectural plan. Living areas and studios are strategically placed beside outdoor spaces to encourage interaction with nature. Both the residences and workshop are designed with large windows, allowing sunlight to fill the interiors. This thoughtful arrangement provides an inviting atmosphere that supports the artistic process and promotes a strong connection with the elements outside.

Roof Design

One interesting aspect of the design is the non-linear roof structure. The roof of the lower building slopes down, offering expansive views from the residences. Conversely, the roof of the upper building rises, complementing the large glass surfaces. This design choice not only increases the amount of natural light in the outdoor areas but also helps with heating, supporting a comfortable environment.

Landscape Integration

The landscape around the Brushstroke House consists of various outdoor spaces that enhance the overall living experience. There is a Garden Terrace exclusive to Flat ONE, positioned above the carpentry workshop, serving as a private garden. The Inner Garden, accessible to all residents, provides a sheltered area protected from winds while maximizing sunlight. Additionally, the Main Garden is located at the entrance, maximizing sun exposure with paths that lead to each entry point, encouraging a connection to nature.

Extending toward the lake, the Lake Gardens feature small docks for boats, providing direct access to the water. The design pays tribute to traditional Latvian building practices, evidenced by the choice of materials. The stone base offers structural support, while the wooden elements reflect local craftsmanship, ensuring durability while blending harmoniously into the landscape.

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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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