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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 Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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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

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100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
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Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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