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Terracotta Cloak Overlooking Tranquil Waters in a Wellness Retreat

Authors:
Alessandro Carlodalatri, Francesco Cavaterra
Terracotta Cloak Overlooking Tranquil Waters in a Wellness Retreat

Project in-detail

Located in a quiet rural setting, the design offers a focused environment for wellness, reflection, and community connection. A careful arrangement of built forms and open spaces encourages interaction with the landscape while supporting a range of therapeutic activities.
5 key facts about this project
01
Distinct volumes elevate the structure above the ground.
02
Orientation captures specific views and organizes activities.
03
A central courtyard opens toward a calming pond.
04
Blue terracotta tubes harmonize with the natural setting.
05
Community-oriented spaces include outdoor dining and playground.

Set within a quiet rural setting, Blue Clay Country Spa is designed to support both individual wellness and community engagement. The layout emphasizes strong spatial relationships with the natural environment while providing a range of therapeutic spaces. Its architectural language reflects sensitivity to landscape, material sustainability, and the rhythms of daily retreat life.

Architectural Strategy
The structure is composed of distinct volumes elevated above the ground, minimizing impact on the terrain. These volumes are oriented to capture specific views and organize activities across private and communal zones. A central courtyard opens toward a pond, anchoring the composition and offering a place for rest and contemplation. Outdoor areas—including gardens and gathering spaces—reinforce the integration of wellness and social interaction.

Material Expression and Program
Blue-colored terracotta tubes wrap the façade, creating a textured skin that harmonizes with the natural surroundings. Internally, kebony wood surfaces introduce warmth and durability, supporting a low-maintenance and sustainable material palette. The interior program includes a tepidarium, saunas, therapy rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, and a private treatment pod. Natural light plays a central role, entering through carefully placed openings to animate surfaces and support a calming atmosphere. Community-oriented elements, such as outdoor dining and a children's playground, extend the retreat's role beyond individual care to include collective experience and 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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