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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

Project in-detail

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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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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