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Natural Wood Facade Embracing Light in a Tranquil Coastal Retreat

Author:
Katja Teinilä
Natural Wood Facade Embracing Light in a Tranquil Coastal Retreat

Project in-detail

An L-shaped layout with a natural wood facade captures the essence of light, while strategically placed skylights enhance the connection to the serene coastal landscape, all within a comfortable residential setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
L-shaped structure creates a sheltered inner courtyard for privacy.
02
Expansive windows connect interior spaces with the surrounding landscape.
03
Strategically placed skylights maximize daylight in key living areas.
04
Natural wood cladding enhances integration with the coastal environment.
05
The bedroom's east orientation promotes morning light exposure.

Villa Solstice is located in Naantali, West Finland, and is designed to connect closely with its natural environment. The home features an L-shaped layout that blends indoor and outdoor spaces. This thoughtful design creates an intimate atmosphere while allowing for ample natural light and views of the surrounding landscape. The main purpose of the home is to provide comfortable living, with spaces organized to match the everyday routines of its occupants and adapt to the unique seasonal light of the region.

Design Concept

The design focuses on merging the building with the landscape. The L-shaped structure wraps around a sheltered inner courtyard that leads to the nearby forest. This layout not only offers privacy but also enhances the feeling of being surrounded by nature. The arrangement of spaces facilitates easy movement between indoor and outdoor areas, encouraging residents to interact with their environment in a meaningful way.

Daylight Optimization

Natural light is a key element in managing the living experience within Villa Solstice. Windows are thoughtfully positioned to capture sunlight at different times of the day. The living room faces multiple directions, allowing it to benefit from morning and afternoon light. The strategy also places the bedroom to welcome the first rays of the day, aligning with the natural rhythms of those living in the home. Various window sizes contribute to this daylight strategy, with large openings that create a connection to the outdoors and smaller bay windows that provide cozy spots for reading or contemplation.

Materiality

The materials used in Villa Solstice reflect a careful choice that emphasizes quality and a connection to the setting. The exterior is clad in natural wood, which not only looks good but also helps the building blend into its surroundings. This wood cladding serves a practical purpose as it shades sensitive areas from direct sunlight while still allowing for views of the landscape. Inside, warm brick walls paired with wooden flooring create a comfortable atmosphere. The white ceiling allows light to bounce around, keeping the interior bright and airy.

Design Details

The thoughtful design of Villa Solstice creates a peaceful living environment that adjusts to the changing seasons in Finland. It invites nature inside while providing a sense of comfort and well-being. An extending canopy over the terrace offers shade on warm days and adds to the visual appeal of the home, reinforcing its connection to the natural surroundings. The design evokes a sense of balance, where the home and landscape coexist harmoniously.

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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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