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Reclaimed Wood Retreat with Courtyard Overlooking Cernostes Lake

Authors:
Thomas Stankowski, Nate St. john, Rachel Mordaunt, Dan Stripp, Nate St. John, Rachel Mordaunt, Dan Stripp
Reclaimed Wood Retreat with Courtyard Overlooking Cernostes Lake

Project in-detail

Built from reclaimed wood and salvaged stone, the artist retreat harmonizes with its natural surroundings while offering flexible workshop spaces and communal areas for creative collaboration.
5 key facts about this project
01
Reclaimed wood cladding enhances sustainability and ties the retreat to local ecology.
02
Salvaged stone from nearby foundations ground the structure in its historical context.
03
Built-in greenhouse features complement the communal courtyard for biodiversity.
04
A ramped roof provides panoramic views of Cernostes Lake, encouraging exploration.
05
Flexible studio spaces adapt to varying needs of resident artists throughout the year.

The design situated near Cernostes Lake serves as an artist's retreat that integrates its form with the natural surroundings. The concept focuses on creating a setting that supports creativity while enhancing the relationship between the residents and the landscape. The structure features a diagonal shape that allows for efficient passive cooling and facilitates collaboration among artists.

Design Concept

The structure makes use of a diagonal line along a northwest axis to take advantage of wind patterns for ventilation. Workshop studios are placed to capture views of the lake, offering a light-filled environment for creative work. These spaces are adaptable, allowing them to be set up as open areas for gatherings or as smaller zones for focused individual work, striking a balance between collaboration and privacy.

Spatial Organization

The layout includes two separate living areas located in opposite corners, ensuring privacy for each artist's family. Communal spaces, like the kitchen and living room, encourage interaction among residents while also providing individual retreats. The large glass doors create a strong connection between indoor spaces and the outdoors, allowing natural light and views of the landscape to enter.

Sustainability and Materials

Sustainability is a key element of the design, highlighted by the choice of materials such as locally reclaimed wood and salvaged stone from existing structures. These materials connect the building to its cultural context and promote environmentally friendly practices. The roof features overhangs that collect sunlight in winter while thermal mass floors store heat, reflecting responses to local weather conditions.

Interior Features

The interior courtyard plays a role in bringing natural light and fresh air into the building. Rainwater collection systems support the responsible use of resources. Roof plantings not only add to insulation but also echo traditional thatched roofs. The ramp leading to the roof offers a high view of Cernostes Lake, enriching the experience of the retreat and inviting a deeper connection with the surrounding environment.

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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

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