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Stone Walls Embracing Natural Light in a Tea Production Retreat

Authors:
Rucha Valimbe, Yumian Zhou, Juliet Tremble
Stone Walls Embracing Natural Light in a Tea Production Retreat
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With its retained stone walls that harmonize with extensive glazing, the structure creates a bright and inviting atmosphere for tea production while accommodating guests in a serene setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Retains original stone walls to preserve historical character.
02
Extensive glazing maximizes natural light for tea production.
03
Strategic layout separates public and private guest areas.
04
Service spaces are grouped to enhance operational efficiency.
05
Designed to connect visually with the surrounding landscape.

The Tea Maker's Guest House is designed to harmonize with its rural surroundings near Lake Bezdibene and the Ozolini Household. It serves two main functions: providing accommodation for visitors and supporting tea production. The overall design focuses on accessibility and interaction, creating a welcoming atmosphere for guests while meeting the operational needs of the tea-making process.

Architecture Concept

The guest house features a clear distinction between public and private areas. The ground floor includes communal spaces such as the kitchen and tea-making workshop, allowing for interaction among guests and staff. The upper level offers private rooms, ensuring that visitors have a quiet retreat. This arrangement promotes a natural flow through the building, making it easy to navigate.

Configuration of Service Spaces

Service areas, including bathrooms and the kitchen, are located close to each other and near the boiler room. This configuration enhances efficiency by reducing the energy needed for water transfer. By grouping these essential spaces, the design supports the daily operations of both hospitality and tea production, highlighting the practical considerations that inform the layout.

Preserving Contextual Heritage

The guest house incorporates existing stone walls, which play an important role in maintaining the site’s historical character. This choice preserves the integrity of the location while adding a rustic feel to the building. The design reflects traditional forms while adapting them to modern functions, creating a strong connection to the surrounding landscape and its cultural history.

Natural Light and Ventilation

Natural light is an essential feature in the design. The extensive use of glazing in the workshop and drying areas allows ample sunlight to enter the interior. This not only supports the tea production process but also enhances the overall atmosphere for guests. Operable glazing provides ventilation, allowing fresh air to flow freely and improving the indoor environment.

Attention to these design details helps create a functional and inviting space at the Tea Maker's Guest House. The combination of careful planning and thoughtful integration with the landscape contributes to a pleasant experience for visitors.

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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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