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Natural Barriers and Expansive Glazing Enhance Serenity in a Guesthouse Amid Olive Groves

Author:
Iryna Turchenenko
Natural Barriers and Expansive Glazing Enhance Serenity in a Guesthouse Amid Olive Groves

Project in-detail

Characterized by natural barriers and expansive glazing that frame captivating views of the olive grove, this guesthouse fosters a seamless connection with its surroundings while prioritizing climate responsiveness and sustainability.
5 key facts about this project
01
Natural barriers serve as both privacy screens and pathways, enhancing user experience while maintaining connectivity to the landscape.
02
Expansive glazing provides panoramic views of the olive grove, maximizing natural light and visual continuity with nature.
03
The design incorporates a bent A-frame structure, optimizing stability and aesthetic appeal while addressing site-specific conditions.
04
Sustainable materials such as cross-laminated timber and charred wood contribute to the building's environmental responsiveness.
05
The fragmented layout creates intimate courtyards, fostering a sense of serenity and promoting interaction with the surrounding ecosystem.

### Architectural Design Report: The Nook

#### Project Overview
Located in Olive Grove, Incognito Land, The Nook is designed to harmonize with its tranquil surroundings while providing a cohesive guest experience. The structure conceals the layout of the Olive Guest House, embodying modern environmental architecture. Primarily oriented westward, the inner courtyard maximizes views of the olive trees, while the eastern façade incorporates a largely closed design to address climatic factors.

#### Spatial Strategy and Circulation
The architectural arrangement is characterized by an interconnected system of dispersed building elements, organized to optimize land usage. A protective wall serves both as a barrier and a pathway, guiding circulation while revealing selective vistas of the landscape. This layered approach fosters a relationship between the built environment and the natural olive grove, enhancing user experience through designated thresholds and circulation routes.

#### Material Considerations
The design anticipates the use of local construction materials to support sustainability while reflecting the surrounding context. Key features include reinforced concrete for structural integrity, wooden beams for aesthetic and structural enhancement, and expansive glass surfaces that promote natural light influx. A potential combination of steel and natural stone may also be considered for a comprehensive material palette that aligns with the project’s environmental vision.

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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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