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Raw Stone and Glass Greenhouse Amidst Natural Fissures

Authors:
Camila Meza gálvez, Alonso Gaete, Benjamín Saldaño, Felipe Mondaca
Raw Stone and Glass Greenhouse Amidst Natural Fissures

Project in-detail

Set within a natural fissure, a greenhouse constructed from raw stone and glass serves as a sustainable restaurant that immerses diners in a unique outdoor experience.
5 key facts about this project
01
Set within a natural fissure, enhancing the site’s geological features.
02
The greenhouse structure uses glass to maximize natural light and visibility.
03
Local stone materials create direct connections to the surrounding landscape.
04
Rainwater collection systems support the restaurant’s irrigation needs.
05
Microclimates within the greenhouse promote diverse vegetation growth.

The Meso-Atlantic Greenhouse Restaurant is designed to connect with its natural surroundings. Located in a landscape marked by a fissure, the building invites visitors to travel through different levels. The design focuses on sustainability and creating a meaningful experience, taking guests on a journey from underground depths to a lively garden above.

Construction Approach

The layout of the restaurant plays an important role in shaping the visitor experience. From an underground entrance, guests are welcomed into a moment of intimacy before ascending to views of expansive gardens. This spatial arrangement creates a balance between private and social spaces, allowing for varied types of interaction.

Materiality

Materials are carefully selected to enhance the restaurant's relationship with its environment. The use of raw, exposed, and uneven stone provides a direct connection to the landscape, while local concrete ensures that the construction aligns visually with its surroundings. Glass is prominently featured in the greenhouse, allowing natural light to fill the interior space and connect diners with the outdoor environment.

Sustainability Strategies

Sustainability is a key principle woven into the design. The greenhouse not only supports thriving vegetation but also helps regulate temperature, creating ideal microclimates for growth. Rainwater is collected centrally to sustain irrigation, reducing the need for external water sources and promoting eco-friendly practices.

Light and shadow play a vital role in the overall experience. These elements interact dynamically within the dining area, guiding visitors through a rich sensory journey. The spaces provide a dialogue with the landscape, enhancing the sense of connection between building and nature.

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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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