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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
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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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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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