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Reclaimed Stone Foundations and Cross-Laminated Timber in a Central Garden Retreat

Author:
Pedro Oliveira
Reclaimed Stone Foundations and Cross-Laminated Timber in a Central Garden Retreat

Project in-detail

Constructed with reclaimed stone foundations and cross-laminated timber, the guest house integrates seamlessly into the Latgalia landscape, providing a retreat that emphasizes community engagement and connection to nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using reclaimed stone from a local barn.
02
Features a central garden integrated into the indoor layout.
03
Utilizes cross-laminated timber for structural and aesthetic purposes.
04
Encourages community interaction through strategically designed spaces.
05
Emphasizes sustainability with geothermal heating and rainwater collection.

The Teamakers Guest House is located in the peaceful landscape of Latgalia, Latvia. It combines architecture with the surrounding nature, offering a space for both community gathering and individual reflection. The design centers around the local tradition of tea-making, emphasizing simplicity and practicality while being mindful of ecological considerations. The guest house functions as a retreat, providing a welcoming atmosphere for visitors to connect with their environment.

Spatial Arrangement

The design features a square layout that organizes different spaces around its edges. Essential areas include restrooms, workshops, a living room, and bedrooms, all arranged to promote both communal interaction and personal privacy. The living room serves as a main area, allowing direct access to a central garden that connects guests to the outdoors and encourages moments of respite.

Materiality

The choice of materials showcases a commitment to sustainability and local culture. The foundations are built using stone reclaimed from a nearby barn, which also preserves a link to the site's history. Solid wood construction and cross-laminated timber are used for structural elements, providing both durability and visual appeal. The exterior is designed with a wooden shell that allows natural airflow and light into the building, ensuring comfort for guests.

Interior Design

Inside, the guest house conveys warmth and comfort through thoughtfully chosen finishes and spatial organization. Soft surfaces and a cohesive color scheme create an inviting environment, encouraging guests to relax and socialize. Smaller gardens placed within the interior promote quiet moments and reflection, balancing the liveliness of shared spaces.

Sustainability Features

The design incorporates sustainable elements, including a rainwater collection system for irrigation and toilet use, reducing the overall environmental impact. A geothermal heating and cooling system enhances energy efficiency, aided by triple-glazed windows that improve thermal comfort.

Every detail within the guest house invites connection, whether through the interplay of natural light, the richness of textures, or the calming presence of greenery. These features emphasize the relationship between the building and its environment, allowing guests to experience a meaningful connection with both nature and tradition.

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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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