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Rammed Earth Structure Embraces Natural Integration With Curvilinear Pathways and Community Spaces

Authors:
Juan Saez Martinez de la Pedraja, Carlos Wong
Rammed Earth Structure Embraces Natural Integration With Curvilinear Pathways and Community Spaces

Project in-detail

An innovative use of rammed earth and curvilinear pathways fosters a seamless connection between built and natural environments while providing versatile community spaces for relaxation and interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes rammed earth for thermal mass and sustainability.
02
Features curvilinear pathways that enhance user experience.
03
Incorporates rainwater collection for pool use and resource efficiency.
04
Local timber adds aesthetic warmth and regional authenticity.
05
Design promotes community interaction through multiple gathering spaces.

### Project Overview
Located in a gently sloping landscape rich with greenery, "The Spiral" is designed to integrate harmoniously with its natural surroundings. The architectural form adopts a spiral configuration that facilitates a connection between the built environment and the landscape, encouraging visitors to engage with both the structure and the site.

#### Spatial Strategy
The design employs a thoughtful spatial strategy that reflects the site's natural pathways, allowing for a dynamic experience as users navigate through different zones. The continuous spiral form creates areas for relaxation, communal dining, and therapeutic functions, supporting a multifaceted user experience. Additionally, multiple courtyards are incorporated to promote social interaction, while the central thermal pool acts as a therapeutic feature, enhancing occupants' engagement with their surroundings. Pathways and landscape interventions further guide visitors, their curvatures echoing the building's spiral form to enrich the journey towards the entrance.

#### Materiality and Sustainability
Sustainability is central to the design, with an emphasis on locally sourced materials that minimize environmental impact. Key components include rammed earth for thermal mass to support energy efficiency, local timber for structural elements to enhance warmth and connectivity with the environment, and concrete for stability and resilience. The "implyvium" feature captures rainwater for the thermal pool, illustrating effective water management that aligns with eco-friendly practices. This careful selection of materials not only grounds the project within its ecological context but also reinforces the overall sustainability ethos of the design.

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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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