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Reclaimed Bricks and Courtyard Walls in a Radial Guest House Design

Author:
Harri Ahonen
Reclaimed Bricks and Courtyard Walls in a Radial Guest House Design

Project in-detail

Radial guest house designed with reclaimed bricks and heat-insulated blocks, anchored by a central courtyard that fosters community while providing individual privacy.
5 key facts about this project
01
Radial layout enhances communal interaction while providing private views.
02
Use of reclaimed bricks preserves local architectural heritage.
03
Heat-insulated blocks improve energy efficiency and comfort.
04
Large glass walls facilitate a strong connection to the outdoors.
05
Central courtyard promotes social engagement and accessibility.

The guest house is located in a cultivated plain, surrounded by impressive mountain ranges. It serves as a communal living facility, designed with a concept that connects the building to its surrounding landscape. The layout consists of separate units that are arranged in a radial pattern around a central courtyard. This design promotes both community engagement and individual privacy, helping to blend the natural environment with the built forms.

Design Arrangement

The guest house features individual units that radiate from the central courtyard, allowing residents to enjoy a variety of views. Each apartment has a unique sightline towards the picturesque vineyards, hill towns, and mountains in the distance. The design includes varying room heights that create an open feel and invite ample natural light into each space.

Circulation and Access

Residents access their apartments through a welcoming common courtyard, which serves as a space for social interaction. Utility areas are strategically placed at the lower parts of each unit, ensuring functional living. The main living areas, including the kitchenette and bedroom, are located on the perimeter of the building. This design choice encourages a smooth transition between indoor and outdoor spaces, made possible by large glass walls.

Materials and Sustainability

The construction employs various materials selected for durability and sustainability. The building frames are made of masonry, while the upper areas and floor consist of cast concrete. Brick tiles add visual appeal to the flooring. The outer walls use heat-insulated blocks, finished with plaster above and brickwork below. Reclaimed bricks from buildings set for demolition will be used for wall cladding and courtyard walls, along with repurposed roof tiles. This strategy not only honors local architectural heritage but also embodies environmentally responsible practices.

Architectural Details

Each unit includes its own private outdoor space, thoughtfully bordered by shrubs and walls for added privacy. Shade from pergolas enhances the outdoor areas, particularly those adjacent to bedrooms. The design includes communal spaces, such as a wine tasting room and a small kitchen for dining. This arrangement creates opportunities for social interactions among residents, enriching the experience of living in the guest house. Each design element works together to provide a balanced living environment, connecting inhabitants to the natural landscape while offering comfortable and functional spaces.

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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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