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Spiral Steel Huts with Thatched Roofs Offering Community Retreat in the Latvian Countryside

Authors:
Chun Hei Vincent Chan, Pei Li Sally Li, Ho Hang Sit, Wing Yan Lee
Spiral Steel Huts with Thatched Roofs Offering Community Retreat in the Latvian Countryside
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With a spiral arrangement of steel huts topped with thatched roofs, the design offers a communal retreat that nurtures creativity while blending seamlessly into the Latvian landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Spiral layout promotes communal interaction while preserving privacy.
02
Huts are uniquely shaped to accommodate different occupancy levels.
03
Steel construction ensures durability and design flexibility.
04
Thatched roofs reflect local building traditions and enhance insulation.
05
Natural landscaping integrates the project seamlessly into the environment.

The Pavilosta poet huts are designed to offer a peaceful retreat in the Latvian countryside, serving as a creative space for poets and artists. Set against a backdrop of natural beauty, the project aims to provide a welcoming environment where individuals can reflect and find inspiration. The overall design fosters a blend of community and solitude, allowing residents to connect with nature while enjoying their private spaces.

Spiral Arrangement

The layout of the huts features a spiral formation, surrounding a central common hall that acts as a focal point for gathering. This setup encourages interaction among residents, while the distance between huts and the hall preserves personal space. The pathways connecting these structures are lined with trees, enhancing the site's connection to the landscape and providing a tranquil environment.

Architectural Forms

Each hut has a unique shape, reflecting its purpose and accommodating different numbers of occupants. The varied designs mirror the divisions present in the central common hall, creating a sense of unity across the site. This approach allows residents to enjoy distinct yet complementary spaces that cater to their individual needs without sacrificing the collective spirit of the community.

Material Selection

Steel is the primary material used for construction, chosen for its ability to support heavy loads and its flexibility in design. This choice allows for diverse forms in the huts, optimizing the layout for various occupancy levels. Steel’s durability contributes to the huts' long-term resilience, ensuring they can withstand the elements while meeting the design's functional requirements.

Sustainability Considerations

Sustainability is a key aspect of the design, focusing on the use of natural resources. The project maximizes daylight and ventilation, promoting energy efficiency. By integrating the built environment with its natural surroundings, the design respects the landscape while enhancing the experience for residents. Each hut's features are mindful of the ecological context, ensuring that the project contributes positively to the environment.

The roofs of the huts feature traditional thatching, providing insulation and managing rainwater effectively. This detail not only ties the structures to local building practices but also reinforces their connection to the landscape, creating a harmonious living space.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
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Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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