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Rainwater Harvesting Retreat with Local Stone Facades

Authors:
Sara Llapushi, Erika Cecchinato
Rainwater Harvesting Retreat with Local Stone Facades
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With a focus on rainwater harvesting and local stone facades, the retreat integrates seamlessly into the Italian landscape while providing guest accommodations and a Wine Tasting Area.
5 key facts about this project
01
Renovates a historic stone building to preserve local heritage.
02
Features a flexible walkway directly over a water element.
03
Incorporates rainwater harvesting for landscape irrigation.
04
Utilizes local materials, including bricks and stones, for construction.
05
Promotes adaptability with movable privacy panels along the walkway.

The BeauTily Tily Wine Italy Guest Homes are located in the scenic landscape of central Italy, where buildings align with the contours of nature. This project functions as a retreat, combining accommodations with a Wine Tasting Area and various outdoor features. The design concept draws inspiration from traditional rural architecture and utilizes a planting system to shape how spaces are organized and proportioned throughout the site.

Preservation and Renovation

The design emphasizes the importance of preserving an existing stone structure that reflects the area's historical essence. This building becomes a centerpiece of the project, connecting visitors to the local character while being carefully integrated into the broader design. The renovation respects the original structure, allowing it to tell a story that aligns with the surrounding landscape.

Spatial Organization

Various elements are thoughtfully arranged within the layout, including the Wine Tasting Area and the guest rooms. The Wine Tasting Area is situated inside a timber box, creating a covered space that encourages guests to engage with the outdoors. A welcoming porch serves as the main entrance, guiding visitors toward the swimming pool and other shared spaces. This setup creates clear paths that enhance the guest experience by promoting movement and interaction.

Interaction with Nature

A significant feature of the design is a walkway that connects the guest apartments and is positioned above water. This configuration strengthens the connection between the built environment and the natural surroundings. Flexible wood panels line the walkway, allowing guests to adjust privacy levels as they move through the space. This ability to change the openness fosters a sense of involvement with the landscape, providing areas for relaxation and reflection.

Sustainability and Materiality

Sustainable practices are central to the project, utilizing materials sourced from the local region to reduce environmental impact. Local bricks are specified for building the guest homes, connecting the buildings to the landscape. The exterior facades feature local stones that reflect traditional building methods. An external thermal insulation system improves energy efficiency, while solar panels on the south-facing roof support renewable energy use.

Above the guest homes, the roof is designed to capture rainwater, which is reused for irrigation. This not only contributes to sustainability but also enhances the overall aesthetic of the project.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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