Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Terracotta and Brickwork Harmonizing Guest Houses Among Vineyards

Authors:
Elena Nalin, Rodrigo Lima
Terracotta and Brickwork Harmonizing Guest Houses Among Vineyards

Project in-detail

Constructed with terracotta and brickwork, the guest houses blend seamlessly into the vineyard landscape, offering modern accommodations while honoring the historical context of the surrounding environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Guest houses are designed to maximize natural light while providing views of the surrounding vineyards.
02
A central courtyard promotes community interaction and enhances outdoor experiences.
03
The project utilizes a careful selection of materials, including terracotta and brick, to reflect local architectural traditions.
04
Wooden colonnades create transitional spaces that integrate the indoors with the outdoors.
05
The layout emphasizes adaptive reuse, reducing the need for extensive demolition of existing structures.

Set in a beautiful landscape, the design integrates contemporary elements with historical buildings. The work emphasizes grafting new parts onto existing structures. This method preserves their original character while meeting modern needs. The project prioritizes sustainability by reducing demolition and encouraging adaptive reuse.

Design Concept

A central idea is to create a dialogue between the old and the new. The design brings attention to the original features, respecting the historical context while also addressing current requirements. The layout is organized to promote easy movement and interaction, allowing users to feel connected with their surroundings.

Spatial Organization

Guest houses are arranged to be bright and open, contrasting with the more compact historical buildings. These living spaces maximize natural light and frame views of the nearby vineyards. This setup enhances the experience for guests, inviting them to engage with the landscape while enjoying the comforts of modern design.

Community Focus

At the heart of the development, a central courtyard encourages social interaction and relaxation. This area is designed as a calm space where visitors can gather and enjoy the outdoors. It highlights the beauty of the changing seasons, reminding everyone of the natural environment that surrounds them.

Materiality and Aesthetic

A careful selection of materials, including wood, glass, brickwork, and terracotta, creates a cohesive appearance. These materials not only provide structural strength but also connect the new design elements to traditional architecture in the region. The thoughtful use of these materials ensures a harmonious blend between the new and the old.

The façade features modern wooden colonnades that work well with the historical elements, creating inviting entry points into the courtyard.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

`
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
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy