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Retaining Heritage Through Insulated Masonry and Precast Panels in Guest Accommodations

Authors:
Mark Armstrong, Louise Oxnevad, Katy Hargans, Eesha Naikwade
Retaining Heritage Through Insulated Masonry and Precast Panels in Guest Accommodations

Project in-detail

The careful reuse of a centuries-old farm building, combined with insulated masonry and precast panels, forms a sustainable complex of guest accommodations that respects the cultural heritage of Valle Umbra.
5 key facts about this project
01
The project preserves an existing farm building, reducing environmental impact through adaptive reuse.
02
Five guest homes feature a mix of single-level and mezzanine layouts for diverse accessibility.
03
The central courtyard serves as both communal space and a retreat for guests.
04
The design maximizes views of the surrounding countryside, incorporating strategic sightlines.
05
Materials include insulated masonry and exposed arched precast panels, aligning with local building practices.

The project "Famiglia Fattoria: Tili Wine - Italy - Guest Homes" is located in the Valle Umbra, an area known for its farming heritage and beautiful landscapes. The design aims to combine modern elements with the existing historical structures. It preserves a significant farm building while creating new guest accommodations that are in line with the regional character.

Heritage and Adaptation

The approach focuses on reusing the existing farm building, which plays a key role in the design. By keeping this structure, the project honors its historical value and reduces the impact on the environment through lower carbon emissions. The building is transformed into a space that serves a modern function while still reflecting its past.

Central Courtyard

A central courtyard is designed as a gathering space for guests. It encourages social interaction and also offers quieter areas for relaxation. This layout promotes a connection between indoor spaces and the outside, enhancing the experience of those who visit the site.

Guest Accommodations

Five new guest homes are incorporated into the design, each carefully placed to provide privacy while taking advantage of views of the landscape. These homes reflect traditional Umbrian styles and align with the scale of the existing farm structure. The guest accommodations feature both single-level and mezzanine layouts, allowing accessibility for all visitors.

Material Choices

The project uses insulated masonry and exposed arched precast roof panels as main materials. These choices are practical and in keeping with regional building methods. They contribute to the overall comfort of the buildings by improving insulation.

Each guest home has its own courtyard that faces south, encouraging outdoor living and providing a retreat for visitors. The design ensures that these private spaces connect well with the natural surroundings. This approach allows guests to appreciate the beauty of the Valle Umbra while also enjoying their own private areas for relaxation.

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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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