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Hillside Guesthouse Crafted with Natural Stone and Flexible Timber Spaces

Author:
Svenja Borg
Hillside Guesthouse Crafted with Natural Stone and Flexible Timber Spaces

Project in-detail

With a design that emphasizes flexible timber spaces integrated into a hillside using natural stone, the guesthouse serves as a unique destination for visitors seeking both comfort and connection to the surrounding landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes a 1 x 2 spatial principle for flexible room configurations.
02
Incorporates natural stone on the ground floor for regional authenticity.
03
Features extensive glass windows for optimal natural light and views.
04
Designed with individual terraces to enhance outdoor accessibility.
05
Employs a modular approach to accommodate varying guest needs.

### Project Overview
Verde Living serves as both a guesthouse and a center for olive oil production, located in the scenic landscape of Barreira, Portugal. The design intends to create flexible living spaces that integrate thoughtfully with the surrounding environment, fostering interaction among visitors while promoting a connection to local culture and natural beauty.

### Spatial Strategy
The architecture emphasizes maximum adaptability through a carefully organized layout. The upper floor follows a 1 x 2 principle, allowing rooms to transition between private accommodations and larger communal spaces. Key spatial features include switchable spaces that can be converted for various uses, such as leisure or guest quarters, and multi-functional rooms designed to host meditation, dining, or social gatherings. This layout facilitates both intimate experiences and larger events, enhancing the overall social dynamics of the guesthouse.

### Materiality and Aesthetic
The materials selected for Verde Living underscore sustainability and durability while reflecting the regional vernacular. Reinforced concrete provides structural stability, while timber frame construction introduces warmth through a natural palette. Natural stone clads the lower level, grounding the building in its environment, whereas the upper level features white render, creating a contrast that conveys a sense of purity. Expansive glass windows enhance transparency, invite natural light, and encourage a dialogue between indoor and outdoor spaces. The geometric cube-like form of the building incorporates terraces and loggias that prioritize privacy and outdoor enjoyment, optimizing views and ventilation for residents.

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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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