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Sensory Experience in Natural Brown Surfaces and Lotus-Inspired Meditation Spaces

Author:
Raffaela Bizzarro
Sensory Experience in Natural Brown Surfaces and Lotus-Inspired Meditation Spaces

Project in-detail

Utilizing untreated Organoid surfaces and incorporating lotus flower-inspired meditation spaces, the design creates a sensory-rich environment that celebrates traditional tea production while serving as a guest house for visitors.
5 key facts about this project
01
The design integrates the original walls of the Ozolini barn, enhancing historical significance.
02
The meditation room is inspired by the lotus flower, promoting both privacy and communal interaction.
03
Untreated Organoid surfaces maintain their natural textures and scents, enriching visitor experience.
04
The drying room features variations in ceiling height for functional use and aesthetics.
05
Workshops for packaging and tea preparation are designed to engage visitors in the production process.

LaukuTELL is located within the landscape of the Lauku tea company, designed to create an engaging experience for visitors interested in tea production. The guest house features several functional spaces, including workshops, meditation areas, and private rooms, all contributing to a deeper understanding of traditional tea-making practices. The design reflects the site's historical context while promoting wellness as a core principle.

Spatial Organization

The layout of LaukuTELL is practical and user-friendly, accommodating both social and private interactions. It includes a reception area, workshops for packaging and tea preparation, and dedicated spaces for meditation and drying. This thoughtful arrangement allows visitors to move easily from one area to another, starting at the reception and flowing through the production spaces before reaching more intimate areas.

Historical Integration

A key feature of the design is the incorporation of the old Ozolini barn’s walls. These walls not only preserve the historical character of the site but also enhance the experience for visitors. The scents from the materials evoke a connection to traditional tea production, helping visitors engage with the activities of Lauku tea. The packaging laboratory, situated within these walls, serves as an essential space for introducing newcomers to tea-making processes.

Functional Features

The design thoughtfully considers access points and user movement throughout the building. Bathrooms are conveniently located, and the meditation room provides a quiet space for reflection and relaxation. Inspired by lotus flowers, the room’s design balances privacy with the opportunity for social interaction. The yoga area emphasizes the commitment to health and well-being, offering space for mindfulness and physical activity.

Material Considerations

Materials in LaukuTELL are significant to the overall experience. Surfaces from Organoid Technologies are delivered untreated, allowing their natural qualities to remain intact. This choice enhances the sensory experience of visitors, as they can appreciate the textures and scents of the materials used within the space. The careful selection of materials adds to the direct connection between the guest house and the processes of tea production.

Details like varied ceiling heights in the drying room create functional spaces for processing naturally dried materials. This design choice not only serves practical purposes but also enhances the aesthetic of the environment while respecting the integrity of the tea-making process.

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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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