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Lake-View Studios With Shared Courtyard and Timber Warmth

Author:
Harri Ahonen
Lake-View Studios With Shared Courtyard and Timber Warmth

Project in-detail

With its unique lake-view studios and a central shared courtyard, the design integrates warm timber elements and practical amenities to create a tranquil guest house that enhances community living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Two symmetrical apartments provide a balanced layout for residents.
02
A central courtyard fosters community interaction and offers protection from external elements.
03
The studio is positioned to maximize lake views and natural light.
04
Ventilation shafts enhance air quality throughout the living spaces.
05
Wood and concrete elements create a harmonious blend of materials in the design.

The design is located in a coastal area, where it replaces an older group of buildings. The overall concept combines traditional and modern elements, creating a structure with east-west gable roofs and a central enclosed courtyard. The intention is to harmonize with the landscape, producing a consistent appearance that respects its natural surroundings.

Layout and Spatial Organization

Inside, the guest house contains two identical symmetrical apartments. Each living area faces south towards the entrance courtyard, while studio spaces look north toward the lake. This arrangement helps to separate quiet sleeping areas from shared living spaces, enhancing comfort and privacy for residents.

Courtyard and Outdoor Connectivity

The shared courtyard is a central feature, encouraging interaction among residents while offering a sheltered area for relaxation. Open passages provide easy access to both the courtyard and the beach, reinforcing the connection between indoor living and the outdoors. This thoughtful integration enhances the overall living experience.

Topography and Functional Considerations

The site’s slope is used effectively, giving the studio additional height and unique spatial qualities. This approach creates distinct levels within the design. The studio includes necessary amenities, such as a private toilet and storage space. Furthermore, a loft area serves as an additional space for relaxation.

Materials and Structural Integrity

Construction primarily involves wood with a ventilated load-bearing floor base that provides necessary support. Cast concrete is used for the plinths, adding stability to the foundation. The design features natural ventilation through shafts in living spaces and the studio, improving air quality and thermal comfort.

Attention to detail is evident throughout the project. A designated area in the yard for storage, including waste and maintenance equipment, helps maintain organization in outdoor spaces. This practical approach to design enhances functionality while preserving aesthetic unity.

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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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