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Terracotta Textures and Plastered Concrete Define Sustainable Olive Grove Experience

Authors:
Csenge Gyorgyi, Balint Iszak
Terracotta Textures and Plastered Concrete Define Sustainable Olive Grove Experience

Project in-detail

Emphasizing terracotta textures and plastered concrete, the design creates a harmonious space that fosters community engagement and education in the olive oil production process.
5 key facts about this project
01
Emphasis on local materials, featuring terracotta bricks and plastered concrete.
02
Sunken tasting area enhances user engagement with the surrounding landscape.
03
Design integrates olive oil production education within a communal space.
04
Natural ventilation strategies optimize comfort and reduce energy use.
05
Outdoor communal courtyard fosters social interactions and cultural activities.

### Project Overview

The design located in Portugal emphasizes the cultural significance of olive production and aims to create a multifunctional space that bridges architecture, landscape, and traditional practices associated with olive cultivation. This facility is intended to foster visitor engagement with both the olive grove and the process of olive oil production, featuring spaces designed for tasting, communal gathering, and exploration.

### Spatial Organization and User Experience

The layout is strategically organized to facilitate interaction while providing distinct functional zones. Central to the design is the tasting room, which serves as the focal point for visitor engagement, promoting social interaction and cultural connection. Supporting facilities, such as the olive storage and wine cellar, enhance the dual focus on both olive oil and wine production, catering to both tourists and local producers. Outdoor communal areas, including a courtyard, are positioned to encourage exploration and appreciation of the surrounding olive grove. The sunken tasting area enhances the visitor experience by physically connecting users to the landscape while creating a cooler microclimate for tastings.

### Material Selection and Aesthetic Integration

Material choices reflect a commitment to local traditions and contemporary architectural practices. Terracotta bricks are employed for walls and flooring, offering thermal mass and evoking local craftsmanship. Plastered concrete adds structural integrity and a contrasting smooth finish, while timber elements bring warmth and connectivity to the overall aesthetic. Together, these materials create a tactile experience for users, fostering a physical interaction with both the building and its natural surroundings. The architectural forms, including gabled roofs clad in local tiles and large strategically placed openings, invite natural light and views of the olive grove, enriching the overall sensory experience of being within an active agricultural landscape.

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

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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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