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Stone Retreat With East-Facing Windows for Tea-Making Experience

Author:
Yongyeon Cho
Stone Retreat With East-Facing Windows for Tea-Making Experience

Project in-detail

Constructed with a retained stone structure and designed with east-facing windows, the retreat enhances the tea-making experience while providing guests a tranquil setting connected to nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Retains an existing stone structure to enhance its historical context.
02
Features large east-facing windows to maximize morning light and nature views.
03
Incorporates clearly defined areas for tea-making, drying, and packaging.
04
Includes an accessible first-floor guest room designed for wheelchair users.
05
Offers a porch that connects indoor and outdoor dining experiences.

The Tea Maker's Guest House is located in a wooded area, designed to provide a peaceful retreat for guests. The focus of the design is on tea-making and the ways it can connect people to nature. By emphasizing elements such as light, wind, and time, the house creates a setting that encourages relaxation and social interaction among visitors.

Design Concept and Functionality

The design makes use of an existing stone structure that adds character and context to the site. By keeping this stone, the design respects the local landscape and reduces the environmental impact of constructing new materials. Each part of the guest house serves a specific function, including private guest rooms, communal workspaces, and dining areas. The layout is thoughtfully arranged to enhance the experience and enjoyment of the natural surroundings.

Spatial Organization

Inside the guest house, different areas are divided into private and public spaces. Guest rooms are designed to provide privacy, while open areas invite people to gather and socialize. The arrangement allows for good airflow and creates visual connections throughout the house. Guests can enjoy views of the woods from various vantage points, helping them feel more in touch with nature.

Workshop and Community Engagement

One key aspect of the design is the tea workshop. This space includes distinct areas for displaying items, making tea, and drying and packaging the product. By organizing these functions, the design promotes learning and collaboration among guests. The workshop fosters a sense of community by allowing individuals to come together, share knowledge, and experience the art of tea-making.

Guest Room Design and Accessibility

Each guest room features large windows facing east that provide ample morning light and scenic views of the surroundings. This connection to the outside enhances the overall experience, encouraging moments of reflection or inspiration. The design also considers accessibility, making sure that the ground floor is welcoming for wheelchair users.

The entrance includes a porch that transitions between the indoors and outdoors, serving as a dining area for enjoying meals outside. This space allows guests to truly immerse themselves in the natural environment.

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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

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