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Light-Filtering Barn with Stone Foundation for Tea Production

Authors:
Idan Ben-hamo, Alon Lifshitz
Light-Filtering Barn with Stone Foundation for Tea Production

Project in-detail

The stone foundation supports a light-filtering barn that integrates tea production with a unique connection to nature, offering both educational opportunities and a retreat experience for visitors.
5 key facts about this project
01
Light is filtered through wooden shutters, creating dynamic interior environments.
02
The barn retains its original stone foundation, merging history with modern design.
03
Tea production highlights the connection to the natural elements of earth, water, air, and fire.
04
The layout facilitates movement between artificial and natural environments.
05
Educational spaces support community engagement in tea culture and production methods.

"THE TEA ELEMENTS - TEAMAKERS Guest House" embraces the bond between nature and human experience through the theme of tea production. Located within a historical setting, the design carefully distinguishes between artificial and natural spaces, offering various functions centered around tea while providing a retreat for visitors. The overall approach highlights how this environment can engage the senses and promote a deeper connection with the surroundings.

Architecture Concept

The layout divides spaces into two main categories: artificial and natural. Domestic activities like eating and sleeping fall into the artificial realm, while the processes related to tea production are positioned within natural spaces. The barn serves a key role in this arrangement, acting not only as a workspace for tea preparation but also as an educational venue for classes focusing on tea culture. This dual-functionality allows the barn to bridge everyday life and the artistry of tea, enriching the visitor's experience.

Role of Light

Light plays an important role in the design, representing the relationship with the natural environment. Areas closest to nature are flooded with natural light, while sections designated for domestic functions receive less illumination. The barn is designed to filter light in a way that mimics sunlight filtering through tree leaves. Wooden shutters add an extra layer of visual interest, creating shifting patterns and shadows throughout the day, which enhances the atmosphere within.

Materials and Structure

The project retains the original structure of a stone barn, which connects to the site's historical significance. This preservation serves to honor the past while introducing new, orderly elements that differ from the barn's existing form. The contrast between the contemporary design and the historical structure highlights the ongoing relationship between construction and nature, emphasizing the importance of both in shaping the overall experience.

Connection to Nature

The tea production process reflects the four elements of nature: earth, water, air, and fire. Each phase of production is linked to these elements. The growth stage, representing earth, speaks to nourishment and sustenance. The cooking stage blends fire and water, symbolizing exploration and shared experiences. Finally, the drying stage corresponds with air and highlights the spiritual aspects of tea preparation, inviting participants to engage deeply with the craft.

Dynamic Movement

Visitors navigate a clear path between the artificial exterior and the welcoming interior spaces. This design encourages interaction with the environment and the cultural significance of tea. The layout facilitates movement across different zones, with well-defined routes leading to areas where tea is produced. The thoughtful arrangement of light and space creates an inviting atmosphere that enhances the overall experience of tea culture, inviting exploration and reflection.

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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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