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Terrace Retreat Emphasizing Connectivity with Nature Through Private Spaces

Author:
Joonkyoung Wang
Terrace Retreat Emphasizing Connectivity with Nature Through Private Spaces

Project in-detail

The elevated terrace provides sweeping views of the surrounding forest while private spaces on the upper levels ensure a tranquil retreat for guests, emphasizing a strong connection to nature and the local tea-making tradition.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated terrace offers panoramic forest views for guests.
02
Private spaces are strategically placed to enhance tranquility.
03
Workspace integrates sensory elements of tea processing.
04
Large folding doors create seamless indoor-outdoor connections.
05
Design prioritizes local materials to blend with the landscape.

The Ozilini Tea Makers Guest House is located in the serene rural landscape of Latvia, surrounded by expansive forests and diverse ecosystems. It serves as both a retreat for visitors and a workspace for the Lukina family’s tea-making tradition. The design prioritizes sustainability and aims to create a clear connection between guests and their natural surroundings.

Spatial Organization

The guest house features a thoughtful arrangement of spaces that enhances the experience for its occupants. Private areas are positioned on the upper levels for increased privacy, while public and working spaces are located on the ground floor to encourage interaction. This layout takes advantage of natural light and creates a fluid relationship with the outside, allowing guests to feel at one with the environment.

Outdoor Terrace

One of the significant features of the guest house is the terrace on the second floor. It offers sweeping views of the nearby forest, providing guests with a peaceful spot to relax and engage with nature. This elevated space not only enhances enjoyment but also reinforces the building's connection to the landscape, creating an inviting atmosphere for outdoor living.

Living and Working Areas

In the living room, large folding doors and low windows help dissolve the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. This design maximizes natural light and provides clear views of the surrounding greenery. The workspace dedicated to tea processing is also designed thoughtfully. Here, the aroma of drying tea fills the air, contributing to the sensory experience and connecting the tea-making process directly to the guests’ experience.

Material Integration

While the presentation does not specify particular materials, there is a strong emphasis on using local and sustainable resources. The design philosophy encourages the building to blend into its environment, highlighting how architecture can coexist with nature. This approach reflects a commitment to ecological responsibility and serves as a model for future projects interested in promoting sustainability.

The design features create a well-rounded experience, emphasizing the importance of connecting with the landscape. The guest house represents a blend of functionality and respect for nature, resulting in a space that feels both purposeful and inviting.

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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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