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Limestone and Pine Oak Harmony in a Nature-Integrated Guest House

Author:
Daisaria Associates
Limestone and Pine Oak Harmony in a Nature-Integrated Guest House

Project in-detail

Featuring a façade of locally sourced limestone and pine oak, the design seamlessly integrates with the surrounding olive grove, providing an environmentally sensitive guest house that encourages interaction with nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Limestone walls are designed to blend with the local geology for visual coherence.
02
Pine oak wood louvers provide natural ventilation while reducing solar heat gain.
03
A central atrium enhances daylighting and promotes passive cooling throughout the space.
04
Terraced outdoor spaces create opportunities for social interaction amidst olive trees.
05
The bent A-frame structure minimizes material usage while maximizing spatial volume.

### Overview
The Olive Basin is a guest house located in Lisbon, Portugal, designed to integrate with the surrounding olive groves while providing visitors with an engaging experience. The structure features a Ground + 2 design that redefines conventional spatial organization, promoting interaction between users and the environment.

### Spatial Configuration
The architectural layout consists of interconnected forms that delineate public and private areas. At the center, an atrium serves as the focal point, facilitating movement throughout the building. Public amenities are arranged around courtyards that foster social interaction, complemented by terraces that enhance the guest's experiential journey through the space.

### Material Use
The design incorporates locally-sourced materials that reflect Portugal’s architectural heritage and bolster environmental performance. Key materials include:
- **Limestone** for aesthetic continuity and thermal efficiency.
- **Pine Oak Wood Louvers** for effective shading and ventilation.
- **Terracotta Clay Tiles** for roof insulation and visual appeal.
- **Double Glazed Fixed Glass** to maximize natural light and views while improving energy efficiency.

Additional sustainable elements include the use of solar panels, insulated roofing, and strategically placed windows that encourage natural cross-ventilation, alongside a central atrium that enhances passive cooling. The geometry of the building is designed to frame views of the olive fields, creating a strong visual connection to the landscape.

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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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