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Rammed Earth and Black Poplars Framing a Guest Experience in the Umbrian Landscape

Author:
Phoebe wai fung Chu
Rammed Earth and Black Poplars Framing a Guest Experience in the Umbrian Landscape

Project in-detail

Constructed with locally sourced bricks and rammed earth, the guest home elevates both guests and views over the Umbrian landscape, offering a tranquil retreat that harmonizes with its natural surroundings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with rammed earth to enhance thermal comfort.
02
Five identical guest houses provide privacy while accessing communal spaces.
03
An entry garden of fruit trees creates a welcoming transition to the reception.
04
Windows on both facades optimize natural ventilation and light.
05
Elevated terrace and bar offer panoramic views of the Umbrian landscape.

The Tili Vini Winery guest home project is set in the beautiful landscape of Umbria, Italy. Its design enhances the experience for visitors to the winery, ensuring that guests can connect with the surrounding nature. The layout prioritizes both privacy and a sense of community, providing spaces for relaxation while highlighting the stunning views of the valley.

Site and Spatial Arrangement

Located in a flatter area compared to the nearby Tili 21 building, the project benefits from its positioning. An elevated terrace and bar offer wide views of the Umbrian landscape. The design includes five guest houses that sit above communal areas, allowing guests to enjoy peaceful settings. This arrangement promotes quiet moments while separating the private areas from the lively public spaces of the winery.

Access and Arrival Experience

Guests approach the site along a driveway lined with black poplar trees. Upon arrival, they enter an entry garden that smoothly links the parking area to the reception. This garden features fruit trees and a small pond, which creates a welcoming atmosphere. It encourages guests to interact with nature and sets the tone for their visit.

Architectural Language and Materials

The design is straightforward and respects the historical context of the region. An arch portal invites guests into a spice garden, leading them to the lifts for the guest houses. In terms of material usage, the project incorporates existing bricks from the site along with locally sourced bricks and rammed earth. This choice not only lessens waste but also helps maintain comfortable indoor temperatures, aligning with the local architectural style.

Light and Ventilation Strategies

Windows are placed on both east and west sides of the guest houses to maximize natural light and ventilation. This design improves passive cooling, making the space more comfortable throughout the year. The abundant natural light creates a connection between the indoors and the outdoor views, enhancing the overall experience for guests.

The thoughtful details include direct transitions from indoor spaces to outdoor terraces. These elements encourage guests to engage with the tranquil landscape, making each visit a relaxing retreat in the heart of Umbria.

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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
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