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Rammed Earth and Bronze Steel Create Sustainable Hospitality Amidst Vineyards

Authors:
Nigel Reading, Daniel Traficante, Duran Bezuidenhout, Azin Shameli
Rammed Earth and Bronze Steel Create Sustainable Hospitality Amidst Vineyards

Project in-detail

Constructed from local clay-limestone and bronze steel, the design forms an organic connection to the surrounding vineyards while providing a boutique hotel experience that emphasizes sustainability and community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth construction utilizes local clay-limestone to blend the building with its surroundings.
02
Bronze steel elements enhance durability while maintaining aesthetic harmony with the landscape.
03
The design features enclosed courtyards that offer privacy and panoramic vineyard views.
04
Each area of the hotel is named after local grape varieties, connecting the space to regional viticulture.
05
Canopies symbolize the Tree of Life, providing shelter and cooling in the warm summer months.

The MdOIR project is located on Gold Mountain in the Alenquer region of Portugal, consisting of a boutique hotel, a Cellar Door Restaurant-Bar, and a Spa. The design connects to the surrounding landscape, taking inspiration from the natural forms of local vines and grapes. The overall concept emphasizes the idea of growth in nature and the communal experience of winemaking, creating inviting spaces for social interaction and cultural connection.

Integration with Landscape

The layout promotes a strong relationship with the environment. Arranged like a cluster of grapes, the design features an atrium lobby at its center, encouraging guests to engage with one another. Canopies are thoughtfully placed to represent the Tree of Life. These structures provide important wind protection and shade while enhancing the visual harmony of the site.

Spatial Arrangement

The inclusion of enclosed courtyards creates quiet spaces that enhance privacy and offer expansive views of the vineyards. These areas invite reflection and relaxation, blurring the lines between built spaces and nature. Play and pool areas are designed to encourage social activities, creating an atmosphere where visitors can interact with each other comfortably.

Material Selection

Materials chosen for the project reflect a focus on sustainability and regional character. Clay-limestone rammed earth, sourced from the site, provides a strong connection to the local geography. Durable bronze-tinted steel adds visual interest. The use of found oak timbers brings local craftsmanship into the design. Reconditioned brickwork from past buildings further emphasizes environmental responsibility and reduces waste.

Design Details

The hotel rooms transition from a circular shape reminiscent of grapes into form variations that evoke wine barrels. This design strategy allows for generous views of the vineyard landscape. Thoughtful attention to shape and layout highlights the area's cultural heritage. Each section of the project is named after grape varieties grown at Monte d'Oiro, grounding the architecture in the local viticulture and enhancing the guest experience.

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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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