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Natural Integration with Yakisugi Wood and Communal Fire Pit Retreat

Authors:
José Alberto Hernández Natividad, Estefanía Goméz Jiménez, Pablo humberto Oliva Iruretagoyena
Natural Integration with Yakisugi Wood and Communal Fire Pit Retreat
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Constructed with Yakisugi wood and designed around a central communal fire pit, the retreat offers artists a focused environment for creativity and connection with nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using Yakisugi wood for enhanced durability and aesthetic appeal.
02
Features a central communal fire pit designed to encourage social interaction among residents.
03
Includes a dock that connects directly to the lake for easy access to nature.
04
Strategically placed barn serves as both storage and an observation point for the landscape.
05
Designed with independent living spaces, fostering privacy while allowing for community engagement.

The Painter's Lake House is located by a serene lake, designed for artists who seek peace and a space for creativity. It combines living areas with workspaces, allowing for both personal reflection and communal gatherings. The overall design emphasizes inspiration, creation, and contemplation, aiming to foster an environment where creativity can flourish.

Spatial Organization

The arrangement of the project includes separate houses and workshops, offering each artist their own sense of privacy. A fire pit serves as the gathering place, encouraging social interactions among residents. In addition, a dock leads out into the water, providing artists with immediate access to the lake. This direct connection to nature enhances the artistic experience and inspiration.

Integration with Environment

The design shows careful consideration of the natural landscape. The barn, placed at a higher point on the site, serves as a storage space and an observation area. From here, residents can appreciate the beauty of their surroundings. This thoughtful placement enhances the relationship between the buildings and nature, inviting a deeper connection to the environment.

Material Selection

Materials have been chosen to ensure durability while maintaining a link to the landscape. Wooden tiles help the structures blend into their surroundings. Metal chimneys and Duovent windows reflect a contemporary design approach and improve ventilation. The north-facing roof dome allows for abundant light, making the interiors bright and welcoming.

Design Cohesion

The project promotes a strong connection between indoor and outdoor areas. Features like the stone aisle and the interior wood floors encourage easy movement around the spaces. Pathways are clearly defined, guiding residents from their homes to workshops and communal spots. This arrangement provides functionality that supports an artist's workflow while enhancing the overall living experience.

A notable design detail is the alignment of the barn with the lake, which creates a beautiful view. This aspect not only serves as a source of inspiration but also highlights the blend of architecture and nature, anchoring the project in its scenic setting.

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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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    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
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Final registration deadline 18 September 2025

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