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Natural Stone Accents and Clay Tiles Define a Community-Focused Courtyard Experience

Authors:
Vlad Olaru, Andra Dragan, Alexandru Călin, Bogdan Mihăilă
Natural Stone Accents and Clay Tiles Define a Community-Focused Courtyard Experience

Project in-detail

With a design that integrates local stone and clay tiles, the architectural space fosters community interaction around a central courtyard, serving as a cultural hub for culinary experiences and social gatherings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates local stone and clay tiles, enhancing regional connectivity.
02
Features multiple courtyards designed for optimal natural ventilation.
03
Utilizes large glass openings to strengthen indoor-outdoor relationships.
04
Design emphasizes community interaction with dedicated social areas.
05
Includes a chapel reflecting local cultural and spiritual significance.

### Project Overview

Located in a Mediterranean or arid climate, the architectural design integrates elements of cultural heritage with contemporary principles, fostering a relationship between the built environment and the surrounding landscape. The project strategically utilizes courtyards, historically significant in similar regions, to enhance social engagement while optimizing natural light and ventilation. This design approach promotes a microclimate conducive to comfort and well-being, influenced by the sun’s path and the interplay of light and shadow throughout the site.

### Spatial Strategy and User Experience

The spatial organization manifests through a series of interconnected areas that support various functions and experiences. Central to the layout, inner courtyards facilitate natural light penetration and greenery, promoting tranquility and interaction among users. Zones for communal dining and local produce tasting are pivotal to the project, engaging visitors in culinary traditions. The inclusion of a chapel adds cultural significance, serving as a communal space that reflects shared values. Corridors thoughtfully connect these spaces, enhancing circulation and encouraging exploration, while large openings blur the boundaries between indoor areas and the outdoors, further enriching the user experience.

### Materiality and Sustainability

The project's material palette is selected for both functionality and aesthetic coherence. Concrete provides structural integrity and thermal mass, addressing the challenges of fluctuating temperatures. Natural stone in the foundations and some finishes signifies permanence, while clay tiles for roofing pay homage to traditional Mediterranean architecture, effectively managing rainwater. Strategic use of glass enhances illumination and transparency, offering views of the gardens and landscape. Wood elements in ceilings and furniture introduce warmth and tactile contrast, fostering a welcoming atmosphere within the starkness of more robust materials. This careful attention to materiality underscores the project’s commitment to sustainability and contextual relevance.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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