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Rammed Earth Villas Embracing Assisi's Landscape with Thermal Mass Design

Author:
Tayla Clarke
Rammed Earth Villas Embracing Assisi's Landscape with Thermal Mass Design
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Constructed with rammed earth for thermal efficiency, these villas blend into the Assisi landscape, providing guests with a sustainable retreat that enhances the connection between nature and architecture.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with rammed earth, enhancing thermal efficiency and sustainability.
02
Generous north-south orientation maximizes natural light and landscape views.
03
Courtyards promote social interaction while providing privacy for guests.
04
Green roofs support biodiversity and improve insulation across the villas.
05
Design integrates mature trees, creating natural shade and a welcoming environment.

The Tili Vini Guest Villas project is located in the beautiful region of Assisi, Umbria. It functions as an accommodation area for visitors to the Tili Vini winery. The design revolves around blending the guest homes with the surrounding vineyard landscape, creating a tranquil environment for relaxation. The architects aimed to honor the local history while establishing a cohesive village that balances togetherness and privacy among guests.

Spatial Organization

The layout of the villas takes its cues from the adjacent vineyards, using a north-south orientation to form distinct areas within the complex. This arrangement encourages a natural flow of movement, making it easy for guests to navigate the space. The positioning of each villa is deliberate, ensuring that views of the surrounding landscape are maximized. This connection with nature enhances the stay for visitors, providing a sense of immersion in the beauty of the countryside.

Materiality

Rammed earth is a key material in the design. It draws on the regional traditions related to winemaking and crafts a connection with the earth itself. This choice supports sustainability and contributes to the overall aesthetic of the villas. The villas also rest on exposed concrete slab foundations, which offer thermal mass. This means the buildings can absorb heat during the day and release it at night, helping to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures.

Integration with Nature

Open spaces are central to the design. Large windows and sliding doors create easy transitions between the inside and outside. The courtyards serve as central gathering areas for guests, framed by mature trees that provide shade and a welcoming atmosphere. Green roofs are another important feature. They help with insulation and provide space for diverse plant life, further rooting the villas in their environment while offering a unique outdoor experience.

Design Details

Full-height windows define the architecture of the villas. They enhance the connection to the surrounding rural landscape, filling the interiors with natural light. This design choice also creates a connection between indoor and outdoor life. The low-profile construction allows the villas to blend into the landscape. Rather than dominating the view, they enhance the beauty of Assisi and invite guests to enjoy both the architecture and the landscape.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

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