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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.

### Project Overview

**Project Title**: Hortus Conclusus
**Location**: Latvia
The Hortus Conclusus project is situated in an area characterized by significant forest cover, with 40% of the landscape dedicated to woodlands. The design aims to integrate architectural elements with the surrounding ecology, fostering a dialogue between the built environment and the natural setting.

### Spatial Configuration and User Interaction

The architectural layout centers on movement and interaction, featuring a series of interconnected spaces that promote both social engagement and personal reflection. Key components include an entrance hall that establishes a welcoming atmosphere, living spaces and bedrooms oriented to connect with the landscape, and a walled garden that affords privacy while encouraging ecological interaction. Dining and kitchen areas designed with functionality in mind incorporate elements that allow inhabitants to engage with the surrounding gardens.

### Material Selection and Sustainability

The structure employs a thoughtful combination of materials, including blue clay bricks for their thermal mass properties, timber framing for both aesthetic warmth and structural support, and strategically placed glazing to maximize natural light and views. Sustainable features include rainwater collection systems, gray water systems for irrigation, and solar technology that enhances energy efficiency. The surrounding landscape serves as an extension of the architectural environment, with vegetable gardens integrated to facilitate personal cultivation and promote health and wellness.

The project includes a well-being spa that features a hot tub adjacent to a lake and treatment rooms arranged around a garden courtyard. This design choice enhances users’ sensory experiences by offering views of the outdoor landscape, further emphasizing the connection between the indoors and the natural environment.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
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MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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Kinderspace
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