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Straw Insulation and Wooden Pavilion Create Communal Space Focused on Equine Education

Authors:
Renato Magni, Marco Bossi, Chiara Corchia
Straw Insulation and Wooden Pavilion Create Communal Space Focused on Equine Education

Project in-detail

Utilizing straw insulation and a wooden pavilion, the design creates a multifunctional space that emphasizes community engagement while supporting educational programs focused on equine heritage.
5 key facts about this project
01
Straw bales are integrated into the design for effective thermal insulation.
02
The pavilion features large north-facing windows for optimal natural lighting.
03
Temporary structures are deconstructed and materials reused in the renovation.
04
Wooden beams and cross-laminated timber enhance sustainability.
05
The design accommodates both communal and private spaces for users.

The Omuli Straweshome Museum is located in a beautiful landscape, designed to encourage community involvement and support learning about horses. The building features a layout that balances function with appearance, creating a space where people can gather and interact. The design emphasizes sustainability and flexibility, ensuring it can adapt to the needs of those who use it.

Design Intent
The focus of the design is to create a versatile space for various activities, from workshops to social events. A key element is the reddish wooden pavilion, which serves as the main area for programming. This pavilion has large windows on the north side, allowing natural light to fill the space, which is particularly beneficial for artistic work. A walkway connects different sections of the building, making it easy for visitors to move around and engage with others.

Functional Phases
The museum's development occurs in phases, beginning with simple structures that serve immediate needs. The first phase includes a wooden path that acts as an outdoor exhibition area, inviting people to explore. The pavilion itself contains necessary facilities such as workshop areas, a kitchen, and shared bathrooms, allowing for smooth operation during the school’s renovation.

Sustainability and Adaptation
Sustainability is a core theme throughout the project. By reusing materials, the design minimizes waste and conserves resources. In later phases, temporary buildings are taken apart and their materials are used in renovating the museum. Straw bales provide insulation, which helps with energy efficiency and reinforces the building's commitment to environmentally friendly practices.

Fabric and Experience
The finished Straweshome offers a range of features, including private rooms, communal dining spaces, and shared amenities like saunas. This arrangement strikes a balance between private and public areas, giving users both personal space and opportunities to connect with others. The use of wooden beams, planks, and cross-laminated timber lends warmth and texture, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the museum. Visitors can expect a welcoming environment that supports both individual reflection and community interaction.

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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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