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Natural Retreat Wrapped in Rammed Earth and Concrete

Authors:
Coral Canedo, Ricardo Lichtle
Natural Retreat Wrapped in Rammed Earth and Concrete

Project in-detail

Constructed with rammed earth and concrete, the pavilion offers a contemplative escape that intertwines living plants and small animals, creating a tranquil retreat within the urban landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with both rammed earth and concrete, combining durability with organic aesthetics.
02
The design features an introspective pathway that enhances the visitor experience through natural exploration.
03
Living plants and small animals are integrated, promoting biodiversity within the urban setting.
04
The pavilion serves as both a retreat and a contemplative space, encouraging mindfulness and reflection.
05
Unique visual connections frame the urban chaos outside while emphasizing the calm interior experience.

ITERRARIA is designed as a small pavilion in an urban area, serving as an enclosure for carefully chosen plants and small land animals. This project draws inspiration from a labyrinth, creating a space where people can find calm and reflect away from the noise of the city. The design invites users to explore and experience a journey that emphasizes the importance of nature in an urban environment.

Design Concept and Spatial Arrangement

The idea behind ITERRARIA centers on guiding visitors through a defined path leading to a peaceful core. This arrangement encourages individuals to disconnect from the bustle of city life. Within the pavilion, light and shadow play crucial roles, enhancing the contrast between the serene interior and the surrounding urban landscape. The layout promotes a sense of discovery and contemplation, drawing users deeper into the experience.

Materiality and Structural Integrity

Concrete and rammed earth define the materials used in the construction. Concrete ensures durability and strength, making the structure fit for urban demands. Rammed earth adds an organic feel, linking the pavilion to the natural world. Together, these materials not only fulfill practical needs but also enrich the aesthetic quality of the space, reflecting a thoughtful connection between the built environment and nature.

User Experience and Interaction

Visitors navigate a winding path designed to foster reflection while guiding them toward ITERRARIA’s tranquil center. The uneven walls echo the unpredictability found in natural settings, providing an immersive experience. These design choices invite people to engage meaningfully with their surroundings, encouraging a deeper understanding of the relationship between urban spaces and the elements of nature.

Visual Connections to the Urban Environment

One standout feature of ITERRARIA is how it frames views from within. The calming interior contrasts sharply with the hectic pace of city life outside. This design creates a visual interplay, allowing users to consider their interaction with both nature and urban surroundings. The physical elements of the pavilion serve as boundaries while also acting as visual filters, creating a curated perspective of the outside world while maintaining a focus on tranquility.

The integration of natural elements highlights the pavilion’s purpose, underscoring the crucial link between urbanity and nature. Through its design, ITERRARIA emphasizes the value of creating green spaces, showing how architecture can enhance the relationship between people and the environment.

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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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