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Sunken Earth Structures Embracing Water and Nature

Author:
Antonios Sarkis
Sunken Earth Structures Embracing Water and Nature

Project in-detail

Sunken structures harmoniously blend with the surrounding landscape, integrating water features and natural elements to create a reflective environment for poets and creatives.
5 key facts about this project
01
Sunken structures designed to integrate seamlessly with the surrounding terrain.
02
Pathways mimic the flow of the nearby river, enhancing movement and exploration.
03
Air buildings provide elevated views, fostering a connection with the sky.
04
Water buildings engage directly with the adjacent lake, creating immersive experiences.
05
Inspired by Concrete Poetry, the design translates literary concepts into spatial elements.

The project "Poetry in Motion" is located in Pavilosta, Latvia, where it blends the local landscape with themes of poetic expression. Designed primarily for poets and creative individuals, it encourages exploration and reflection within a peaceful environment. The architecture draws on the rhythm and flow of both the geography and poetry, creating a meaningful connection between the built forms and nature.

Conceptual Framework

At the heart of "Poetry in Motion" is the idea of "Concrete Poetry." This concept takes the structures of an Elizabethan sonnet and transforms them into architectural forms. The layout is influenced by the linear river flowing through Pavilosta, enhancing the interaction between the buildings and the environment, which enriches the overall experience for users.

Spatial Composition

The arrangement highlights buildings based on their relationship to the earth, air, and water. Earth buildings are set into the landscape, allowing them to blend with the terrain. Conversely, air buildings rise above, providing elevated views and a connection to the sky. Water buildings engage with the nearby lake, establishing strong links between architecture and aquatic features.

User Experience

Each architectural element serves both a practical and aesthetic role, creating an inviting atmosphere that fosters creativity and thought. Pathways throughout the site lead users on dynamic journeys, encouraging them to interact with different natural elements. This arrangement mimics the rhythmic qualities of poetry, enhancing the interaction with the natural surroundings.

The design of "Poetry in Motion" emphasizes the relationship between site-specific features and context. The result is a harmonious composition where earth, air, and water come together, reflecting the intricate connections between the structures and the landscape. The careful attention to these relationships brings a sense of balance and calm to the 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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
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Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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