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Textured Concrete Forms Within a Natural Landscape Retreat

Author:
Octavo Hernandez
Textured Concrete Forms Within a Natural Landscape Retreat

Project in-detail

Textured concrete and organic forms create a seamless blend with the surrounding landscape, offering a retreat designed for both private solace and communal interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Textured concrete integrates with the local landscape, minimizing visual disruption.
02
Large glass openings enhance natural light and provide panoramic views of the surroundings.
03
Private spaces designed for solitude feature direct connections to nature.
04
Sustainable design includes strategic passive ventilation to reduce energy consumption.
05
The bent A-frame design promotes spacious interiors while maintaining structural integrity.

## Overview
Located in a scenic landscape characterized by trees, hills, and water bodies, the project titled "Between A Rock and Hard Place" is designed as a retreat for travelers, emphasizing the delicate relationship between natural environments and built structures. The intent is to create spaces that promote human interaction while encouraging a connection to the surrounding landscape. The architecture integrates three distinct programmatic elements—Private, Semi-Public, and Public spaces—facilitating diverse user experiences.

### Programmatic Organization
The spatial arrangement is meticulously organized into three main categories:
- **Private Spaces** provide individuals with solitude and respite amid the natural surroundings, ensuring personal retreat.
- **Semi-Public Spaces** are designed to foster interpersonal connections among visitors, featuring communal amenities that support collaboration and interaction.
- **Public Spaces** encompass areas such as communal dining and activities, designed to encourage social engagement and community bonding.

This thoughtful classification addresses varying user needs and enhances community interaction while respecting individual sanctuary.

### Materiality and Sustainability
Concrete is the primary material utilized in construction, chosen for its durability and capacity to assume complex forms. Textured concrete surfaces are used to mirror natural features, harmonizing the architecture with the landscape. Glass elements are selectively incorporated to optimize natural light and maintain visual links with the outside, blurring the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces.

The design prioritizes sustainability by employing local materials, integrating biophilic principles, and optimizing natural light and airflow to reduce energy consumption. The architectural forms echo surrounding natural features, aiming to minimize the environmental impact of construction and promote a conscious relationship with nature.

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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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