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Reflective Basin and Brick Towers for Vineyard Guest Experience

Authors:
Hiraku Takasu, Kasumi Fukui
Reflective Basin and Brick Towers for Vineyard Guest Experience
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Set against the backdrop of the Umbrian valley, the design incorporates brick towers and a reflective basin to enhance guests’ interaction with the landscape while providing a unique wine-tasting experience.
5 key facts about this project
01
Reflective basin functions as a sustainable cooling system for the buildings.
02
Towers are inspired by historical Assisi architecture, enhancing local character.
03
Renovation focuses on only the largest existing building, preserving history.
04
Guest rooms offer panoramic views of the surrounding vineyards and mountains.
05
Central courtyard fosters community interaction among guests and visitors.

The design located in the Umbrian valley presents a thoughtful approach to creating guest accommodations that blend with the rich landscape and cultural history of the area. This project aims to provide a unique experience for visitors, emphasizing views of the surrounding nature while respecting the region’s traditional architectural style. The concept focuses on elevating viewpoints and integrating buildings within the scenic backdrop of Monte Subasio and the neatly organized vineyards.

Concept Development

The central idea of the design is to enhance the experience of being outdoors while avoiding tall structures that could detract from the landscape. Historical towers from Assisi, such as Torre del Popolo and Torre Annamaria, inspire the design. The new towers will use bricks similar to existing structures, ensuring they fit well within the environment and appear as though they have belonged there for a long time.

Architectural Features

A prominent feature of the design is the circle basin, which captures reflections of the sky and surrounding greenery. This basin acts as both a visual element and a way to help merge the new buildings with the natural setting. It creates an engaging space for guests, offering a smooth transition between the architecture and the landscape.

Spatial Organization

The approach to existing structures involves renovating only the largest building, which will serve as a lobby and communal kitchen with dining spaces. This design encourages social interaction among guests. Below the circle basin, a wine cellar adds to the experience. Guests will navigate through this space to reach their rooms in the towers, each providing expansive views of the valley.

Sustainability Measures

Sustainability is an important aspect of this design, with the basin functioning as a natural air-conditioning system. The water in the basin circulates to remove heat from the buildings, which helps maintain comfortable indoor conditions. This not only supports the architecture but also keeps the underground wine cellar at ideal temperatures.

The tallest tower serves as an observatory, providing an excellent vantage point for guests to enjoy the wide-open spaces and mesmerizing views of the Umbrian valley. Each direction reveals a different aspect of the landscape, enhancing the connection between guests and their 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

Open architecture competitions

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Final registration deadline 18 September 2025

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