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Thatch Roof Cabins Merging Stonework and Timber with Natural Landscapes

Author:
Christopher Griffith
Thatch Roof Cabins Merging Stonework and Timber with Natural Landscapes

Project in-detail

With a thatch roof designed to harmonize with its rural Latvian landscape, these cabins utilize local stonework and timber to create inviting spaces for year-round visitor accommodations.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cabins designed with a large thatch roof for optimal sun exposure.
02
Interior spaces designed to adapt to seasonal light changes.
03
Use of local stonework to enhance connection with the landscape.
04
Terrace railings promote natural light penetration into living areas.
05
Focus on community interaction while ensuring privacy for guests.

Caramel Shores Cabins in the Round offers a modern take on rural Latvian architecture, located near Skrunda. The design aims to connect visitors with the natural surroundings while providing comfortable accommodations throughout the year. By combining contemporary elements with traditional architectural features, the cabins create open views and interact closely with the landscape.

Architectural Concept

The design takes cues from traditional Latvian forms while moving away from typical styles to enhance visibility and accessibility. Each cabin is positioned to strengthen the bond with the surrounding environment, utilizing large windows to create a smooth transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. The careful design allows users to appreciate the changing light conditions and seasons, enriching their experience in the area.

Material Selection

Choosing materials for the cabins is a key aspect of the design, focusing on sustainability. The project incorporates stonework, local timber, and thatch, all chosen to minimize environmental impact by sourcing materials nearby. This approach not only supports the local economy but also allows the cabins to blend naturally into their setting. The use of these materials highlights a tangible connection between the interiors and the rural landscape.

Spatial Organization

The layout promotes both community and private spaces. The design encourages interaction among guests while ensuring places for individual retreat. Shared outdoor areas invite users to connect with nature and each other, enhancing the overall experience. This balancing act between solitude and social interaction enriches the stay for visitors.

As light filters through the large windows, it creates shifting patterns inside the cabins. These changes highlight the textures of the materials and the design details, encouraging occupants to notice the subtleties of their environment throughout the day.

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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

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