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Lantern-Like Beacon Crafted from Wood and Polycarbonate Overlooking Tectonic Landscape

Authors:
Silvio Landi, Tommaso Puccinelli, Valerio Pierini
Lantern-Like Beacon Crafted from Wood and Polycarbonate Overlooking Tectonic Landscape

Project in-detail

Crafted from wood and translucent polycarbonate, the lighthouse stands as a lantern-like structure that enhances visibility while blending with the geological landscape, guiding visitors toward the coastal caves.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with a wooden frame, the lighthouse features a lantern-like design that enhances its visibility.
02
The use of whitish opaque polycarbonate panels filters light, creating a soft interior atmosphere.
03
Local dark volcanic stone is used for the cladding, establishing a connection to the surrounding landscape.
04
The design includes a spiral staircase, guiding visitors through its interior.
05
A walkway of non-slip iron-glass panels creates a transparent path, allowing views of the ground below.

The lighthouse design occupies a unique location marked by geological activity and rough sea conditions. As a functional guidepost, it aids visitors traveling to nearby caves while encouraging interaction with the surrounding environment. The design draws inspiration from traditional lighthouse forms yet incorporates modern materials and construction techniques, creating a relevant structure for contemporary needs.

Inspiration comes from classic lighthouse shapes, utilizing a simple wooden frame as the primary structural element. This choice provides stability while maintaining an approachable character. The gentle silhouette offers direction to visitors and establishes a connection with the rugged landscape, contributing to the sense of place.

Whitish opaque polycarbonate panels are central to the design. These materials allow soft, diffused light to fill the interior spaces, making the environment warm and welcoming. As night falls, the lighthouse glows like a lantern, illuminating its function as a navigational aid for those near the coast.

A semicircular wall surrounds the parking area, serving a dual purpose. It welcomes visitors and hides parked vehicles from view, creating an inviting space while subtly directing movement toward the lighthouse. The use of local dark volcanic stone cladding enhances the structure’s visual and textural harmony with the environment, grounding the design within the landscape.

The pathway leading to the lighthouse features non-slip iron-glass panels, offering a unique experience for visitors. This transparent surface allows a glimpse of the earth below, enhancing the feeling of immersion. As people walk towards the lighthouse, the path appears to dissolve, leading them to a carefully designed spiral staircase that encourages exploration.

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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

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