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Reading Nook and Skylights Complementing Concrete and Wood Cabins in the Latvian Countryside

Author:
Jeff Leopold
Reading Nook and Skylights Complementing Concrete and Wood Cabins in the Latvian Countryside

Project in-detail

Exposed rafters and specialized skylights define the warm interiors of concrete and wood cabins in the Latvian countryside, creating a tranquil retreat for visitors.
5 key facts about this project
01
Exposed rafters enhance both aesthetics and structural integrity.
02
Reading nooks create intimate spaces within an open layout.
03
Skylights strategically placed for optimal natural light.
04
Concrete foundations provide stability while maintaining warmth.
05
Wood shingles on side façades ensure harmony with the landscape.

The Caramel Shore Cabins project is located in the Latvian countryside, a setting that enhances its purpose as a retreat focused on safety, comfort, and community. The design emphasizes a connection between the landscape and the built environment. Visitors are encouraged to explore their surroundings while enjoying the warmth and welcoming nature of the cabins.

Site Layout and Connectivity

Guests are guided through the site by winding pathways, which lead to essential communal areas, including an administrative building and a boat dock near a sauna. This thoughtful arrangement promotes interaction among visitors as they navigate the space. The pathways invite exploration and create a sense of community, allowing guests to connect with both each other and the natural beauty around them.

Interior Design and Spatial Progression

Inside the cabins, a focus on vertical space creates a feeling of openness. Exposed rafters run along the walls, offering structural support while enhancing the aesthetic appearance. The design features upward movement, leading to spaces such as a reading nook that provides a comfortable spot to relax. This progression within the layout optimizes the experience of each cabin, making them inviting and functional.

Material Choices and Aesthetics

Material selection is important in the overall design of the cabins. The lower perimeter wall is made of concrete, which forms a sturdy foundation for the structure. Above this, wooden elements are used in the front and back façades, adding warmth to the overall design. The side façades are covered in wood shingles, maintaining a cohesive look that aligns with the natural environment and adds to the visual interest of the cabins.

Light and Ventilation Strategies

Natural light and airflow are thoughtfully integrated throughout the cabins. Large windows in the rear façades provide scenic views and create a bright, inviting space for activities such as reading. Operable windows throughout the cabins allow fresh air to flow, promoting comfort. Skylights enhance the interior by letting in additional daylight, creating patterns of light and shadow that change throughout the day. This attention to light and ventilation enriches the living experience, grounding the cabins firmly in their natural context.

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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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