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Reclaimed Wood Workshop Overlooking Černoste Lake

Authors:
Rolands Bruzgulis, Elīna Upe, Valdis Zariņš
Reclaimed Wood Workshop Overlooking Černoste Lake

Project in-detail

Built with reclaimed wood and designed to embrace natural light, the structure integrates seamlessly with its environment while providing functional living and workspace for two painter families.
5 key facts about this project
01
Reclaimed wood from previous structures is used throughout the interior.
02
The design incorporates a flat green roof for environmental benefit.
03
Indirect northern lighting is strategically utilized in the artist's workshop.
04
Each family has private terraces with views of Černoste Lake.
05
High-efficiency mechanical ventilation is integrated for optimal indoor air quality.

The Painter's Lake House is located near Černoste Lake and serves as a home for two painter families. It reflects the architectural traditions of Northern Europe and incorporates a design that blends living and working spaces with the surrounding natural landscape. Sustainability and functionality are central to its concept, allowing for a balance between community interaction and personal privacy.

Design Concept

The layout features a symmetric design that separates common areas from private spaces. Each family enjoys their own retreat through south-facing terraces, while the lakeside terrace acts as a gathering spot for social activities. The arrangement encourages interaction between the residents, ensuring both collaborative environments and quiet areas for artistic work.

Sustainability Features

The house follows passive house principles, focusing on energy efficiency throughout its structure. Key specifications include heat transfer coefficients for walls at Uw < 0.12 W/m²·K and for roofs at Uw < 0.10 W/m²·K. Heating is provided by air-water heat pumps, utilizing heated floors, and high-efficiency mechanical ventilation systems promote a comfortable indoor climate. Solar collectors are placed on the southern roof, supporting a commitment to sustainable living.

Natural Lighting and Interior

Natural light is a significant consideration, particularly in the painter's workshop. The space features indirect northern roof lighting and strategically positioned east-west windows. This setup creates an environment suitable for artistic work. Additionally, the use of old wood planks from previous structures in the interior reinforces sustainability and connects to the site’s history.

Integration with Landscape

Valuable trees are preserved on-site, and the project incorporates the existing pontoon on the lake, highlighting important landscape features. The design integrates the foundation into the landscaping, showing an understanding of historical context. The maintenance building features a flat green roof, aligning with modern sustainable design practices and enhancing the connection to the natural environment.

The Painter's Lake House combines practical design with an awareness of environmental impact, leading to an architectural solution that respects both the needs of its inhabitants and the surrounding ecosystem.

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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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