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Natural Light Through Glass Facades and Textured Brick in a Community Space Focused on Tea Culture

Authors:
Naomi Jemima Ng, Liang Hu
Natural Light Through Glass Facades and Textured Brick in a Community Space Focused on Tea Culture

Project in-detail

Characterized by its integration of textured brick and expansive glass facades, this space cultivates tea culture while fostering community engagement through carefully designed indoor and outdoor environments.
5 key facts about this project
01
Integrates local brickwork to enhance thermal performance and connect with the regional context.
02
Utilizes expansive glass facades to facilitate natural light and connect interior spaces with the landscape.
03
Features a bent A-frame design that supports an organic flow between indoor and outdoor areas.
04
Provides designated spaces for both communal activities and private contemplation.
05
Incorporates sustainable materials to promote environmental responsibility within the cultural setting.

## Project Overview
CHA DAO – The Way of Tea is situated in a rural area of China, renowned for its tea cultivation. The design aims to create a contemplative space that emphasizes the harmony between human activity and nature, blending traditional elements with contemporary architectural practices. This facility is intended to facilitate engagement with the cultural practices surrounding tea-making, offering an environment that fosters mindfulness and connection to the ritual.

## Spatial Organization
The layout of the building reflects a careful zoning of communal and private spaces. Interconnected volumes create distinct areas that support various activities, such as workshops and tea tastings, while also providing opportunities for quiet contemplation. Community spaces consist of expansive areas designed for collaborative gatherings, while private alcoves are dedicated to individual reflection, promoting a versatile experience for visitors.

## Materiality and Integration
Material selection is crucial to the project's aesthetic and functional performance. Concrete serves as the primary structural element, enabling sculptural forms that conform to the terrain. Locally sourced brick enhances both thermal efficiency and visual connection to the surroundings, while glass elements facilitate natural light flow and offer expansive views of the landscape. Additionally, wood is integrated into the design, contributing warmth and reinforcing the relationship between the built environment and nature. The architectural form engages dynamically with the hilly landscape, using terraces and pathways to guide users through outdoor gardens, thereby deepening their connection to the ecosystem.

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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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