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Sedum-Roofed Pavilions Embracing Lake Views for Artistic Retreat

Author:
Peter Byrne
Sedum-Roofed Pavilions Embracing Lake Views for Artistic Retreat

Project in-detail

Timber pavilions with sloped sedum roofs overlook Lake Cernostes, providing an environment for two painters and their families to live and create in a sustainable retreat.
5 key facts about this project
01
Timber pavilions offer direct views of Lake Cernostes.
02
Sloped sedum roofs enhance local biodiversity.
03
Bi-folding doors facilitate indoor-outdoor living.
04
Cabins are designed for both communal interaction and privacy.
05
Eco-friendly bat boxes promote wildlife conservation.

The Painters' Lake House is situated beside Lake Cernostes, designed as a retreat for two painters and their families. The layout includes seven cabin-like pavilions, grouped together within a landscaped setting that highlights the natural surroundings. The main idea is to create a temporary space that supports reflection and artistic growth while offering an intimate connection to the environment.

Architectural Layout

The layout balances shared and private areas effectively. Each pavilion faces the lake, allowing the bedrooms and studios to engage directly with the water. The living room and kitchen are positioned further back, providing shelter from the wind and creating comfortable outdoor areas. Large openings and bi-folding doors connect the indoors with the outside, making movement between the two effortless.

Material Selection

Sustainability is a key focus, with an emphasis on local materials that reduce the impact of construction. Timber and stone are the main materials used, echoing the traditional buildings found in the Latgale region. This choice helps the pavilions blend with their surroundings, offering a sense of durability and permanence in the landscape.

Ecological Considerations

The design incorporates sloped sedum roofs that integrate with the natural terrain, supporting wildlife and enhancing the ecological landscape. This feature, along with the timber exteriors, helps the structures to be visually appealing while maintaining a low profile. Additionally, eco-friendly roosting boxes for local bats are included, illustrating a commitment to preserving local biodiversity in the area.

The Painters' Lake House serves as a canvas for creativity, with large windows framing views of the lake and gardens, inviting sunlight and changing seasons into the artists’ workspaces.

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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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