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Harmonious Integration of Blue Clay Bricks and Green Roofs in Sustainable Residential Design

Authors:
Patrick Ueberbacher, Matt Ball, Chiara Montgomerie, Thomas Kendall
Harmonious Integration of Blue Clay Bricks and Green Roofs in Sustainable Residential Design

Project in-detail

Incorporating blue clay bricks and green roofs, this residential design emphasizes sustainability and ecological engagement while providing a serene living environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates blue clay bricks known for their thermal mass and sustainability.
02
Features green roofs that promote biodiversity and energy efficiency.
03
Includes a walled garden designed for private cultivation and ecological engagement.
04
Utilizes cantilevered structures to enhance spatial dynamics and connections with nature.
05
Integrates a well-being spa adjacent to a natural water body for relaxation and immersion in the landscape.

Hortus Conclusus is an architectural project situated in Latvia, emphasizing a harmonious relationship between the built environment and natural landscape. The design encompasses various living spaces, communal areas, and gardens, all sorted to maximize user engagement with nature. The architectural layout employs a central courtyard to unify the design, allowing for fluid transitions between different functional spaces.

Spatial Configuration and Functional Areas

The project features a diverse range of functional areas, focusing on both communal and private interactions. Key components include an entrance hall that offers an inviting first impression and multi-purpose living areas that facilitate communication among occupants.

Bedrooms are designed to provide personal retreat while maintaining visual and spatial connections to surrounding natural elements. The inclusion of kitchen and dining spaces underscores the importance of communal meals and togetherness, with large windows that encourage views into the landscaped environment.

A significant aspect of the design is the enclosed walled garden, providing a controlled environment for both leisure and cultivation. This element reinforces the project's commitment to sustainability and personal engagement with nature, allowing residents to cultivate vegetables and herbs as part of their daily lives.

Sustainability Features and Design Innovations

Hortus Conclusus integrates several sustainable features that enhance its ecological footprint. Rainwater collection systems are strategically placed to efficiently harvest natural resources. Additionally, grey water systems are utilized for irrigation, reducing water waste and promoting conservation practices.

The project's roofing incorporates green elements, contributing to improved insulation and supporting local biodiversity. Solar panels are also deployed to optimize energy usage, aligning with contemporary architectural standards for sustainable building practices.

A notable innovation is the well-being spa, positioned to exploit the scenic landscape, featuring a hot tub adjacent to a natural body of water. This integration promotes physical relaxation while ensuring occupants remain connected to their surroundings. The relaxation room, designed with large glass facades, further facilitates this connection, blurring lines between interior and exterior spaces.

Unique Architectural Approaches

What distinguishes Hortus Conclusus from typical architectural projects is its seamless integration with the landscape, creating environments that encourage exploration and a deep engagement with nature. The use of natural materials, such as blue clay bricks and timber, complements the surrounding flora and fauna while providing structural integrity.

Architectural designs within the space utilize light and views as critical elements, promoting natural illumination and outdoor perspectives. The project's form, characterized by cantilevered sections, enhances the experience of motion through the building, drawing inhabitants outdoors while providing shelter.

Exploring the architectural plans and sections will provide deeper insights into the spatial arrangements and functional designs employed in this project. Each element reflects a deliberate choice aimed at enhancing the user experience while preserving the ecological integrity of the site. For more detailed architectural insights and a comprehensive view of the design, exploring the presentation of Hortus Conclusus is encouraged.

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge invites architects and designers to create iconic public sculptures for one of two sites in Saudi Arabia: Abu Hadriyah Road or the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar. Proposals should reflect Saudi identity, culture, and future aspirations.

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge is an international architecture and design competition inviting creatives to shape the future of Saudi Arabia’s public spaces. With a total prize fund of €50,000, the competition calls for sculptural proposals that merge cultural symbolism with innovative design, offering participants a chance to see their concepts brought to life in a rapidly transforming national context.

Organised by Buildner in partnership with the Mujassam Watan Initiative, the challenge focuses on two prominent locations: Abu Hadriyah Road, a major highway and gateway into the Eastern Province, and the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar, a pedestrian-focused waterfront district. Designers must select one site and develop a sculpture that engages with its surroundings—whether addressing the fast-paced dynamism of a transit corridor or creating moments of interaction along a coastal promenade.

Proposals should be bold, site-specific, and rooted in narrative—drawing on themes such as heritage, national identity, transformation, and dialogue. Environmental responsiveness, material durability, and feasibility are strongly encouraged, as winning projects may be selected for actual construction.

Each submission must include four A2 landscape presentation boards, a cover image, and a written project description. The competition is open to professionals and students alike, working individually or in teams of up to four people. No professional license is required.

Registration is open until July 24, 2025, with final submissions due by August 27, 2025. Winners will be announced on October 1, 2025.

Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge

Design iconic urban sculptures for the prestigious Mujassam Watan competition and compete for 50,000 €

50,000 € PRIZE project COMPETITION
Prize 50,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 24 July 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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