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Rammed Earth Huts Surrounded by Wildflower Meadows for Creative Solitude

Authors:
Sam Parsons, Caroline Moore, Akash Mehta, Annie Bellamy
Rammed Earth Huts Surrounded by Wildflower Meadows for Creative Solitude

Project in-detail

Crafted from rammed earth and surrounded by a re-wilded wildflower meadow, the huts provide a secluded space for writers and poets to focus on their creativity in harmony with nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
The huts integrate rammed earth construction for low environmental impact.
02
Each structure features individual terraces that enhance outdoor engagement.
03
Native wildflower meadows support local biodiversity and ecological restoration.
04
Design respects traditional Latvian boundaries, creating defined garden spaces.
05
The project utilizes locally sourced oak timber to reinforce regional identity.

The Pavilosta Poet Huts project is located in the re-wilded landscapes of Pavilosta, Latvia. Designed to accommodate writers and poets, the project creates spaces that support solitude and reflection. Each hut serves as a unique retreat, allowing occupants to immerse themselves in the surrounding beauty. The design emphasizes a strong relationship between the built structures and the natural environment, enabling both comfort and inspiration.

Design Concept

The concept centers on integrating the huts with their environment. Each hut is carefully positioned to provide distinct views of the re-wilded landscape. This arrangement encourages users to connect with nature. Outdoor terraces increase the opportunity for users to engage with their surroundings, allowing for experiences that support contemplation and creativity.

Integration with Nature

Ecological sustainability is a key aspect of the design. The project incorporates native flora, with plants like Breckland Thyme and Narrowleaf Hawkweed introduced to create a wildflower meadow. This transformation of the site enhances the local ecosystem, contributing to biodiversity. By fostering such an environment, the project not only supports wildlife but also offers inspiration for creative work.

Cultural Context and Form

Cultural influences shape the design. The project respects traditional boundaries found in Latvian domestic architecture. These boundaries help define the individual garden spaces, creating a connection between the huts and the landscape. The design reinterprets familiar elements, such as stone boulders, integrating them into the overall layout while modernizing their purpose.

Materiality

Sustainability informs the choice of materials. Rammed earth serves as the primary construction material, which helps reduce environmental impact. This approach emphasizes low embodied energy and allows for recycling of site materials. Additionally, oak timber, a native species, adds a natural quality that aligns with the local environment. This material selection creates a visual coherence while supporting ecological goals.

The result is an environment that encourages creativity and introspection. The external terraces blend with the meadow, inviting users to step outside and engage with the landscape that surrounds them.

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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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