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Rammed Earth Structure Surrounded by Olive Groves with Natural Light Emphasizing Agricultural Heritage

Author:
Urges Srl
Rammed Earth Structure Surrounded by Olive Groves with Natural Light Emphasizing Agricultural Heritage

Project in-detail

Utilizing rammed earth construction and expansive glazing to harmonize with the surrounding olive groves, the design creates a welcoming environment that serves as a tasting and exhibition space celebrating local agriculture.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes locally sourced rammed earth for thermal efficiency and aesthetic integration.
02
Features large windows designed to maximize natural light and views of olive orchards.
03
Incorporates textured clay walls to enhance both thermal mass and visual interest.
04
Pathways are intentionally laid out to connect indoor spaces with the surrounding landscape.
05
The design promotes community engagement through flexible spaces for gatherings and events.

## Project Overview

"The Olive Garden" is an architectural project located in a region known for its rich agricultural history, specifically olive cultivation. The design aims to harmonize landscape, utility, and cultural context, creating spaces that promote personal tranquility while fostering an appreciation for nature and community.

## Spatial Strategy

The layout emphasizes a strong relationship between the built environment and the surrounding landscape. Key features include:

- **Landscape Integration**: The site is organized to prioritize views of the landscape, offering a sense of tranquility through the inclusion of greenery and natural elements. A private garden is defined to balance accessibility with seclusion, reinforcing connections to the family and the territory.

- **Functional Zoning**: The building's design consists of distinct functional areas including an exhibition space, tasting room, cellar, and living quarters. This zoning facilitates interaction among spaces while preserving individual identities.

## Material Specification and Sustainability

The materials selected for this project provide aesthetic coherence and contribute to thermal efficiency and sustainability:

- **Rammed Earth**: This material serves as the primary construction element, offering effective thermal regulation suitable for the region's climate.

- **Concrete**: Utilized for structural integrity, it forms foundational elements in key spaces, including tasting and exhibition areas.

- **Wood**: Incorporated in flooring and structural components, timber adds warmth and complements the harsher surfaces of rammed earth and concrete.

- **Glazing**: Large windows and circular openings optimize natural light penetration, enhance visual connectivity with the landscape, and improve user experience.

The design promotes fluid circulation, encouraging an interactive experience among visitors, nature, and the building. Carefully designed pathways direct visitors through the garden and agricultural experiences, while an open interior layout with strategically placed windows fosters visual connections throughout different areas, reinforcing the transition between indoor and outdoor environments.

Notable design elements include the garden, which merges cultivated and natural landscapes, encouraging holistic engagement; a rammed earth wall that adds texture and serves practical functions; and strategic design choices that offer panoramic views, facilitating exploration from multiple perspectives. The project intertwines cultural heritage with modern design principles, featuring educational exhibitions about local agricultural traditions while employing locally sourced materials in an environmentally conscious manner. It balances private needs with opportunities for public engagement, promoting community interaction through events and gatherings.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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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