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Rammed Earth Retreat Featuring Biophilic Elements and Community Spaces

Authors:
Ara Hovsepyan, Arthur Badalian
Rammed Earth Retreat Featuring Biophilic Elements and Community Spaces

Project in-detail

With its rammed earth construction and biophilic features, the design integrates natural materials and communal spaces to provide a restorative wellness experience.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth walls provide superior thermal mass for energy efficiency.
02
Cross-laminated timber panels contribute to rapid assembly and structural strength.
03
A central garden promotes biodiversity and enhances the visitor experience.
04
Charred wooden shingles create a weather-resistant façade with a unique aesthetic.
05
The bent A-frame design allows for optimal natural light and ventilation.

### Project Overview
The Blue Clay Spa is located in a serene natural environment, designed to serve as a wellness retreat that caters to visitors seeking relaxation and rejuvenation. The project incorporates a variety of spa facilities and emphasizes the use of sustainable practices alongside the integration of natural elements, creating a harmonious relationship between the built environment and its surroundings.

### Spatial Organization and Functionality
The layout of the Blue Clay Spa is carefully planned to facilitate ease of movement and enhance user experience. Key areas include specialized treatment rooms for massages and relaxation, sauna and steam rooms for therapeutic heat, and recreation spaces that promote social interaction. The guest accommodations allow for extended stays, ensuring visitors can fully engage with the spa's offerings. Additionally, a central garden serves as a focal point, fostering a connection with nature and enriching the overall aesthetic of the environment.

### Material Selection and Sustainability
The design employs a diverse range of materials, prioritized for their durability, functionality, and natural aesthetic. Rammed earth is utilized for the primary walls, providing thermal mass and a unique visual quality. Wood elements contribute warmth, while steel offers structural support. Large glass windows enhance natural light and views, and stone and concrete serve as practical materials for outdoor features and various spa structures. Sustainability measures include passive solar design and rainwater harvesting, ensuring an environmentally conscious approach that supports the overarching goal of wellness and tranquility.

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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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
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Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
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