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Staggered Roof Forms and Privacy Windows in a Community-Focused Guest House

Author:
Ricardo Reta
Staggered Roof Forms and Privacy Windows in a Community-Focused Guest House
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The staggered roof design and strategically placed windows provide privacy while enhancing the visual dialogue with surrounding structures in this guest house focused on community interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Staggered roof design enhances natural lighting and ventilation.
02
Public spaces are strategically integrated to foster community interaction.
03
Windows are placed to ensure privacy while allowing ample daylight.
04
Geometry of the volumes reflects the gabled forms of the neighborhood.
05
Use of reinforced concrete provides structural durability with minimal maintenance.

The design focuses on a modern guest house located in an area characterized by buildings with gable roofs. It takes inspiration from these nearby structures, particularly the existing guest house, and aims for a smooth connection between the new and surrounding buildings. The layout is intended to meet the needs of guests while promoting a sense of community, creating an inviting space with a clear architectural identity.

Volume Shaping

The guest house has two parallel rectangular volumes that reflect the gabled shapes of the neighboring buildings. Cuts in the design align with projected lines from these structures, fostering a relationship with the historical context of the area. Each volume is carefully designed to enhance the diversity of forms, with varying heights that introduce more dynamic rooflines. This attention to volume shaping contributes to the visual appeal of the overall design.

Spatial Arrangement

The floor plan organizes essential spaces, including reception, baggage storage, a public living room, a dining area, and a kitchen. This layout encourages interaction among guests, establishing a friendly and communal environment. Public spaces are integrated throughout, creating small squares and gathering points that invite social engagement. The arrangement supports a welcoming atmosphere for both guests and the local community.

Windows and Doors

Windows and doors are thoughtfully placed to balance style and privacy. Their careful positioning allows for considerable natural light while minimizing visibility from outside angles. This design choice provides guests with a sense of seclusion. It also supports the building’s overall visual character, ensuring that the facade remains clean and cohesive throughout.

Materials and Textural Details

Reinforced concrete is the main material used for the walls and roofs, chosen for its structural strength and practical appearance. The staggered design of the roof helps create a distinct texture, achieved through the use of formwork. This textural quality carries over to the walls, contributing to the unifying visual language of the guest house.

The way light plays across the surfaces of the building further refines its character. This interplay of light and shadow reveals the careful thought that went into the craftsmanship of the design. It highlights the subtle details that make the guest house an engaging space.

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Enter an open architecture
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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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100,000€ Prize / 2025
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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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Competition organisers

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 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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