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Reflective Basin and Local Brick Towers in the Umbrian Landscape

Authors:
Hiraku Takasu, Kasumi Fukui
Reflective Basin and Local Brick Towers in the Umbrian Landscape

Project in-detail

The circular basin reflects its surroundings while local brick towers rise gracefully, creating guest homes that enhance the wine-tasting experience in the Umbrian valley.
5 key facts about this project
01
A circular basin serves as a reflective element, enhancing the connection to the landscape.
02
Local bricks used in the towers echo the materiality of historical Assisi buildings.
03
The design prioritizes 360-degree views from the towers, showcasing the valley and vineyards.
04
The renovated building incorporates social spaces to encourage interaction among guests.
05
A wine cellar is strategically placed beneath the basin for immersive experiences.

"Drinking in the Sky" is located in the beautiful Umbrian valley, where rolling hills and vineyards create a stunning backdrop. The project focuses on creating guest homes that provide a memorable wine-tasting experience while connecting visitors to the landscape. Drawing inspiration from the historical architecture of nearby Assisi, the design blends modern elements with regional traditions.

Design Concept

The design emphasizes elevated structures that respect the natural surroundings. The smooth ridgeline of Monte Subasio frames the project, while organized vineyards extend the visual narrative. New towers echo local architectural styles, with rooflines that are crafted to gently connect with the sky. This thoughtful approach allows the buildings to complement their environment rather than dominate it.

Architectural Features

A notable aspect of the design is the circular basin, which adds both beauty and function. Its reflective surface interacts with the sky and nearby trees, creating a strong connection between nature and the built environment. This feature ties the new structures to existing elements, contributing to a cohesive visual experience across the site.

Circulation and Layout

Inside, the design fosters interaction among guests by guiding them through a renovated building that serves as a central area. This space includes a lobby and a common kitchen/dining area. From there, visitors proceed to a wine cellar situated beneath the basin, encouraging exploration of the architecture and a tactile engagement with the space while providing clear pathways for movement throughout.

Materiality

The construction of the new towers utilizes local bricks, mirroring the materials found in historic structures in the region. This choice of materials creates a connection to the past while meeting modern design needs. The tactile quality of the bricks enhances visitors' interactions, allowing them to appreciate the building in relation to its environment.

The attention to detail in every design choice contributes to an environment that is both inviting and reflective of its surroundings. The project embodies a balance of modern and traditional elements, creating a harmonious experience for guests.

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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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