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Preserved Stone Walls and Birch Wood Foster Connection to Nature in a Guest Experience

Author:
Hye-ryung Cho
Preserved Stone Walls and Birch Wood Foster Connection to Nature in a Guest Experience

Project in-detail

Preserved stone walls and warm birch wood connect visitors to the rich history and natural landscape of Ozzolini, creating a unique guest house experience centered around tea culture and tranquility.
5 key facts about this project
01
Preserved stone walls showcase the barn's 160-year history.
02
Birch wood accents create a warm, inviting interior atmosphere.
03
Balconies in each guest room enhance connections to nature.
04
Dedicated tea manufacturing areas allow for immersive cultural experiences.
05
Meditation spaces foster community interaction while offering privacy.

The Stone Barn Teamakers Guest House is located in Ozzolini and aims to combine historical elements with modern design. It serves as a space for tea lovers, offering a unique experience that honors the past while catering to contemporary needs. The building preserves the character of a structure that has stood for over 160 years. The design emphasizes a connection to local tea culture and the surrounding natural landscape.

Spatial Organization

The layout of the guest house is thoughtfully designed to encourage interaction among guests, tea, and nature. Privacy is prioritized in the guest rooms, which incorporate small windows that shield occupants from the bustling road nearby. These windows allow just enough view of the landscape while ensuring comfort and seclusion for those inside.



Connection to Nature

Each guest room features a balcony that invites occupants to step outside and enjoy the views of the Ozzolini surroundings. Large main windows act as picture frames, bringing the tranquility of the outdoor environment indoors. This design choice encourages guests to engage with the beauty around them and enhances the overall experience of the space.



Community Spaces

The guest house includes areas dedicated to the process of tea manufacturing, offering visitors the chance to learn about and engage with the local culture. Workspaces feature large windows that open up to the outside, creating a connection between the activities inside and the world beyond. Preserved stone walls in these areas serve to remind guests of the history of the barn, adding depth to their interactions. Meditation spaces are designed to be communal, inviting guests to gather while still offering options for private reflection.



Materiality

The materials chosen for the project show a strong connection to local offerings and the historical background of the area. The use of birch wood contributes warmth to the interiors, fostering a welcoming atmosphere. This choice ties the design to its surroundings and enhances the aesthetic appeal of the guest house.



The combination of preserved stone walls with modern elements creates a distinctive character for the guest house, enriching the experience of visitors and deepening their appreciation for both the history and the natural 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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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