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Reclaimed Stone Barn Enhanced With Recycled Wood and Expansive Glass For a Community-Centric Tea Experience

Author:
Or Hoyben
Reclaimed Stone Barn Enhanced With Recycled Wood and Expansive Glass For a Community-Centric Tea Experience

Project in-detail

Nestled within a reclaimed stone barn, the design incorporates recycled wood and expansive glass to create a welcoming space that connects guests to the art of tea-making and the surrounding natural landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
The design incorporates a repurposed stone barn, blending historical architecture with modern elements.
02
Recycled wood panels were used extensively, promoting sustainability and local craftsmanship.
03
Large glass walls were strategically placed to maximize natural light while offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
04
A dedicated tea workshop area allows visitors to engage directly with the tea production process.
05
The bent A-frame structure enhances the building's energy efficiency while providing an inviting atmosphere.
The Tea Makers Guest House is an architectural project that seamlessly integrates hospitality with the local cultural and environmental context of Latvia. This design embodies the essence of tea-making, drawing inspiration from the natural surroundings and embracing sustainable building practices. The project serves as both a guest accommodation and a space for engaging visitors in the intricate process of tea production, facilitating an enriched experience that goes beyond simply providing shelter.

At its core, the Tea Makers Guest House represents a thoughtful articulation of place. It evokes a connection between visitors and the local landscape, offering vistas that encourage contemplation and engagement with nature. The design is structured around the phases of tea-making—picking, dehydrating, and packaging—creating a narrative journey that visitors can follow. This narrative is manifested spatially, guiding guests through various distinct areas of the building, each serving a specific purpose while contributing to the overall experience.

Functionally, the Tea Makers Guest House is designed to accommodate multiple uses. It includes private guest rooms, communal dining areas, and dedicated spaces for tea production and workshops. This diversity in program allows the building to cater to a wide range of visitors, from individual travelers to groups interested in learning about the tea-making process. Each space within the guest house is carefully considered to promote interaction, learning, and relaxation.

Unique design approaches are evident throughout the architecture, particularly in how the project engages with its surroundings. The incorporation of recycled local wood and stone not only underscores the commitment to sustainability but also evokes a sense of place, grounding the architecture in its historical context. The existing stone barn has been ingeniously integrated into the new design, preserving its heritage while introducing modern elements. Large glass panels enhance the guest house's connection to the landscape, flooding interiors with natural light and framing views that invite guests to appreciate the beauty of the environment.

The careful selection of materials is critical to the project’s impact. Recycled local wood planks provide warmth and texture, while stone elements convey durability and historical continuity. Steel is utilized for structural support, introducing a contemporary aesthetic without overwhelming the sensory experience of the surroundings. Skylights have been incorporated into the design, ensuring ample daylight within the guest house, contributing to an inviting atmosphere.

The architecture of the Tea Makers Guest House is designed to dissolve the boundaries between inside and outside, promoting an experience that encourages exploration of both the built and natural environments. By creating spaces that invite gatherings and learning, the project fosters a sense of community, encouraging interactions not only among guests but also with local residents. The design acknowledges the dynamic relationship between nature, culture, and architecture, capturing the essence of each component.

In summary, the Tea Makers Guest House is a significant architectural endeavor that illustrates the possibilities of integrating functionality with cultural storytelling. Its design captures essential elements of the tea-making process while remaining firmly rooted in the local context. Visitors are invited to engage with and appreciate the intricate relationship between what they consume and the environment surrounding them. For those interested in exploring this project further, the detailed architectural plans, sections, and designs can provide deeper insights into the thoughtful ideas and strategies employed throughout the design process.
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100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

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
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
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