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Rammed Clay Boundaries and Green Therapy Spaces in Nature Retreat

Authors:
Andra-Daniela Racasan, Andra-Daniela Racasan
Rammed Clay Boundaries and Green Therapy Spaces in Nature Retreat

Project in-detail

Rammed clay walls define serene therapy rooms surrounded by a vegetable garden, creating a holistic retreat focused on wellness and community interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed clay walls create natural thermal insulation.
02
The courtyard designed to evoke tranquility and reflection.
03
Therapy rooms encourage connection with surrounding nature.
04
A vegetable garden enhances both aesthetics and functionality.
05
The antechamber serves as a pivotal transitional space.

The design unfolds in a clearing at the edge of a forest, integrating into the landscape while presenting a compact and inviting structure. This house connects closely with nature, guiding visitors through a carefully arranged experience as they approach the entrance. The focus is on creating spaces that encourage community interaction as well as opportunities for private reflection.

Spatial Organization

Upon entering, visitors find an open antechamber, which serves as a transition point that curves gently toward the pathway. This welcoming space sets the tone for what lies ahead and highlights the blend of indoor and outdoor experiences. Beyond the antechamber, the main chamber functions as a versatile hub, supporting activities such as dining and social gatherings. This flexible design promotes interaction among occupants while allowing for distinct areas dedicated to different uses.

Integrative Courtyard

The heart of the dwelling is the grand chamber, known as the courtyard. It features walls on two sides, effectively balancing the presence of the building with subtle boundaries created by the natural landscape, such as earth formations and a vegetable garden. These design choices foster an inviting environment, drawing in natural light and air while maintaining a sense of privacy. The placement of therapy rooms within the courtyard encourages connections with nature, enhancing well-being for users.

Material Consideration

Material choices are important in this design, focusing on two main elements: wood and clay. Rammed clay creates clear boundaries that define different spaces, while wood allows light to filter within, casting varying shadows throughout the interiors. This thoughtfulness in materials expresses a commitment to sustainability and deepens the relationship with the environment, grounding the structure within its surroundings.

Functional Areas

The layout includes various functional spaces, featuring guest accommodations with bedrooms and living areas, as well as staff quarters. Additional areas for therapy, relaxation, a sauna, and outdoor dining extend the building's usability. Each component has been thoughtfully designed to promote wellness and support a variety of activities, balancing community engagement with opportunities for solitude.

Large windows in the grand chamber frame views of the landscape, inviting nature inside and creating a dialogue between the indoor space and the outdoors.

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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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100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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