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Reclaimed Brick Pergola Enhancing Rural Private Gardens

Authors:
Davide Franchi, Matteo Magistrato
Reclaimed Brick Pergola Enhancing Rural Private Gardens

Project in-detail

Constructed with reclaimed bricks and designed around a central pergola, this guesthouse immerses visitors in nature while ensuring privacy through thoughtfully positioned gardens.
5 key facts about this project
01
Guest accommodations feature southeast-facing glazed facades for optimal natural light.
02
The pergola is constructed from reclaimed bricks sourced from demolished structures on site.
03
Each unit includes private gardens, enhancing guest privacy and connection to nature.
04
Design elements reinterpret traditional barn shapes, reflecting local architectural heritage.
05
A central communal area fosters interaction while maintaining individual retreats for guests.

"OLD BRICKS" is set in a rural landscape characterized by fields and traditional architectural styles. It focuses on how buildings can blend with nature while providing a peaceful retreat for guests. The design reflects a commitment to preserving the region's architectural identity, reinterpreting historical forms in a modern way.

Guest House Design

The guest house is modeled after the local barns found throughout the area. It respects the historical context while also incorporating modern features that enhance functionality. The shape and layout are designed to fit well within the landscape, minimizing disruption and maintaining a connection to the agricultural heritage of the region.

Private Accommodation

Each accommodation unit has a glazed facade that faces southeast. This design choice maximizes natural light and offers views into private gardens, which are enclosed by walls for added privacy. Each arrangement creates an intimate environment, allowing guests to enjoy the surrounding nature peacefully. The orientation of the units is intentional, aimed at ensuring privacy while enriching the guest experience through a strong connection with the outdoors.

Community Space

In the center of the complex is a pergola that serves as a communal area for tasting and relaxation. It is built from reinforced concrete and coated with reclaimed bricks from older structures on the site. This use of materials helps connect the new buildings with the site's history. The pergola provides a shaded area that encourages gatherings and social interactions among guests, linking the swimming pool and wooded garden into a unified outdoor space.

Architectural Details

The interiors are designed with large windows that allow natural light to pour in, fostering a strong relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces. This approach maintains privacy while promoting openness. The design aims to balance personal retreat with social interaction, with every element placed to enhance the connection to the landscape. The choice to use reclaimed materials underscores a commitment to sustainability and local relevance. The result is a thoughtful response to the environment that maintains the essence of the rural setting.

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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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