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Sustainable Retreats Built With Pine And Glass Integrating Coastal Landscapes

Author:
valerio Di Festa
Sustainable Retreats Built With Pine And Glass Integrating Coastal Landscapes

Project in-detail

Constructed with durable pine and expansive glass, the design merges contemporary modularity with the coastal landscape, offering a series of sustainable retreat cabins for nature enthusiasts.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and fire resistance.
02
Emphasizes a bent A-frame design to maximize interior space and structural efficiency.
03
Integrates large glass panels to create a continuous connection with the surrounding landscape.
04
Offers modular configurations that cater to varying user group sizes and needs.
05
Employs sustainable materials sourced locally to minimize environmental impact.

## Overview

The Amber Road Trekking Cabins are positioned along the Baltic Sea, aimed at enhancing the outdoor experience while providing essential comforts. Designed to cater to the needs of contemporary adventurers, the cabins utilize modular concepts that encapsulate essential amenities within compact living spaces. This approach fosters a balance between functionality and the natural landscape, promoting a harmonious relationship between occupants and their surroundings.

## Spatial Configuration and Structural Design

The project features three distinct structural modules: a small 20 m² cabin designed for two occupants, a medium 35 m² module incorporating a bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom for two individuals, and a larger 80 m² cabin that can accommodate up to six people. The architectural layout emphasizes a blend of enclosed and open spaces, allowing for privacy and social interaction. Structural integrity is achieved through the use of wooden pillars and beams that support a lightweight frame while contributing to the overall aesthetic.

## Material Selection and Environmental Engagement

The material choices reflect both practical and aesthetic considerations, including wooden pine slats for the exterior cladding, large glass windows for transparency, and plywood for interior finishes, promoting a cozy atmosphere. These materials not only meet functional requirements but also underscore a commitment to ecological sensitivity. The orientation of the cabins maximizes views of the Baltic Sea, with expansive glass panels that immerse residents in the natural environment, reinforcing a connection to the outdoor landscape.

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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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