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Natural Stone Walls Enhancing Community Connection in Guest Houses

Authors:
Celine Schmitz, Viviane Hohensee, Daria Chykova, Nadine Gest
Natural Stone Walls Enhancing Community Connection in Guest Houses
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Reclaimed natural stone walls create continuity between the guest houses while large glazing invites the surrounding landscape inside, fostering a sense of community and retreat for visitors.
5 key facts about this project
01
Reclaimed stones from demolished buildings are integrated into the design.
02
The arrangement of guest houses prioritizes privacy while encouraging community interaction.
03
Large glazing elements connect indoor spaces with the surrounding landscape.
04
A central courtyard features a fireplace to enhance social gathering among guests.
05
The architecture reflects a modern interpretation of traditional Italian styles.

Tili Wine Italy Guest Homes is located in a scenic area of Italy, designed to serve as a calm escape for visitors. The layout combines spaces for social interaction with areas that provide privacy. The design encourages a sense of community while respecting the natural beauty of the surroundings. Its overall concept is to offer both shared experiences and individual retreats, making use of the picturesque landscape as a backdrop.

Central Layout

At the core of the design is a courtyard, which includes a fireplace for gathering. Visitors arrive through a large gate and enter this welcoming space meant for relaxation and conversation. Close by is the wine tasting house, an important feature where guests can sample organic wines and engage in cooking activities. The arrangement of these areas fosters connections among guests while enhancing their appreciation for local wine culture.

Guest House Arrangement

Surrounding the wine tasting house are five guest houses. Each has the same floor plan but is arranged to ensure privacy. The layout offsets the houses, creating secluded spaces for guests while keeping them part of a larger community. Each house is designed to close off to the inner courtyard, which promotes a feeling of tranquility, while opening to a terrace at the back that connects to the natural landscape.

Architectural Features

The guest houses have roofs that slope toward the courtyard, reinforcing the communal nature of the design. Large windows are incorporated to connect indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing natural light to fill the interiors and framing views of the surrounding countryside. A notable element of the design is a natural stone wall made from rocks that were reclaimed from older buildings on the site. This wall connects the houses, creating continuity and linking the new structures to the history of the area.

The architectural approach reflects a modern take on traditional Italian designs, creating an atmosphere that feels fitting within its setting. The careful blend of public and private spaces enhances the guest experience by promoting active engagement with the local culture, all while offering a comfortable and inviting environment.

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Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
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MICROHOME
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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

Open architecture competitions

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    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
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    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
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Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 18 September 2025

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