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Stone Walls and Prefabricated Wood Create a Sustainable Retreat for Tea-Makers

Authors:
Anastasia Skorik, Lino Mercolli
Stone Walls and Prefabricated Wood Create a Sustainable Retreat for Tea-Makers

Project in-detail

Built around preserved stone walls, the design incorporates a prefabricated wooden structure that harmonizes with the landscape, creating a functional retreat for tea-makers.
5 key facts about this project
01
Preserved stone walls form the foundation of the structure, maintaining historical integrity.
02
Three guest huts are created with a prefabricated wood system, enhancing construction efficiency.
03
A double-height enfilade connects guest rooms, allowing for increased spatial flow.
04
The design maximizes natural light in the tea-making workshop for optimal functionality.
05
Proximity of drying and packing areas streamlines tea production processes.

The project "Into The Wild" is located in Ozolini, designed specifically for tea-makers. It focuses on preserving the natural environment while providing a practical space for its users. The design concept revolves around the existing stone walls of the barn, which play a significant role in defining the space. By integrating the old with the new, it aims to create a setting that feels authentic and connected to its surroundings.

Preservation and Integration

The layout includes a concrete ground floor that expands the barn's original dimensions, combined with a prefabricated wooden structure that creates three separate guest huts. This arrangement offers privacy to visitors while ensuring they remain linked to nature. Each hut is angled to provide views of the landscape, reinforcing the idea that architecture can coexist harmoniously with the environment.

Spatial Dynamics

A key feature is the double-height enfilade that connects various guest rooms through a mezzanine. This approach enriches the experience of moving through the space, allowing for both community interaction and individual reflection. The use of existing wall openings simplifies circulation, ensuring easy access to all areas of the guest house, which enhances overall usability.

Functional Design Elements

Careful attention has been given to the tea-making workshop, which is positioned to maximize natural light and airflow. This is crucial for the tea-making process, as it relies on conditions that support quality. The workshop's close proximity to drying and packing areas aids in efficiency, showcasing how thoughtful layout can enhance practical operations.

Materiality and Aesthetic Cohesion

The materials used in the project contribute to a clear and functional aesthetic. The roof features a matt sheet metal cover, which provides longevity without affecting the visual appeal of the structure. Wooden elements contrast with the stone walls, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Thermal insulation and a vapor barrier help with energy efficiency, making the indoor environment comfortable throughout the year.

A notable aspect of the design is how it combines old and new materials. This blend reflects a respect for the historic context while also embracing modern needs. The relationship between the built environment and the landscape emphasizes a commitment to creating spaces that are not only useful but also respect their geographical setting.

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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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