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Rose Red Concrete and Dark Green Cores Enrich Community Spaces in Portugal

Author:
Mena Ghaly
Rose Red Concrete and Dark Green Cores Enrich Community Spaces in Portugal

Project in-detail

The combination of rose red concrete panels and dark green cores creates a distinct architectural identity in Portugal, providing versatile community spaces that blend leisure and functionality.
5 key facts about this project
01
The design incorporates varied building heights to create intimate spaces throughout the site.
02
A dedicated kids' club provides a safe outdoor area while remaining connected to the main courtyard.
03
The hotel foyer features a rounded facade that enhances accessibility from multiple directions.
04
Pigmented concrete finishes tie the new structures to the traditional architecture of the region.
05
The dining terrace offers expansive views of the adjacent vineyards, integrating nature into the experience.

The design emphasizes the integration of new buildings within an existing setting, highlighting the importance of continuity and thoughtful space planning. Located in a context that connects with a long-standing structure, the project introduces a new courtyard that enhances the atmosphere while promoting connections to the surrounding area. The aim is to create inviting spaces that serve both hotel guests and the community, reflecting sensitivity to historical influences.

Architectural Form and Massing

The design employs varying building heights, which contribute to a cohesive identity and add interest to the skyline. This change in elevation helps create inviting spaces, especially around the pool area. Each zone is well-defined while remaining in dialogue with adjacent buildings. The careful arrangement ensures that the overall experience on-site is engaging and accessible.

Function and User Experience

A notable feature is the kids' club, strategically placed at the northern edge of the courtyard. This design choice effectively separates play areas from bustling street activity, fostering a safe environment for younger visitors. By prioritizing user experience, the arrangement supports various activities while ensuring everyone can benefit from the different spaces thoughtfully designed throughout the site.

Horizontal and Vertical Principles

A consistent design language is maintained through the use of horizontal roof edges, which promote spaciousness. Vertical elements, inspired by traditional Portuguese chimneys, establish a connection to local architectural history. This interplay of horizontal and vertical features enhances the project’s relevance to its cultural context while responding to modern design principles.

Materiality and Finishes

Material choices contribute significantly to the character of the buildings. Flat roof panels are finished in rose red pigmented exposed concrete, drawing visual ties to the classic tiled roofs common in the region. The use of dark green pigmented exposed concrete for the cores further connects to the existing doors and windows, reinforcing the relationship between the new additions and the historical context of the site.

A rounded facade at the hotel foyer creates a welcoming entry point, inviting visitors from different directions. This thoughtful design enhances movement and flow throughout the layout, ensuring a pleasant experience for all who enter.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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