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Thatch Roofs and Water Management in Sustainable Coastal Retreat

Authors:
Alexandr Kuzmenchuk, Júlio Costa
Thatch Roofs and Water Management in Sustainable Coastal Retreat

Project in-detail

Constructed with thatch roofing and integrating a rainwater management system, the coastal retreat provides a tranquil environment for meditation and community gatherings along the Baltic Sea.
5 key facts about this project
01
Central tower provides panoramic views of the Baltic Sea.
02
Huts designed with traditional elements to enhance community connections.
03
Multi-functional space integrates seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.
04
Rainwater management system collects and filters water for sustainability.
05
Meditation areas promote tranquility and personal reflection within the site.

The Pavilosta Poet Huts project is located along the Baltic Sea, designed to encourage reflection and community interaction within its space. The project connects the built environment to the natural landscape. A central tower serves as a landmark while flexible residential units surround a multi-functional area that fosters social engagement among visitors and residents alike.

CENTRAL TOWER

The tower stands as the project's main feature, creating a vertical element that ties the different functions of the area together. It acts as a lookout point, providing views over the sea. As a visual reference for those navigating the site, the tower enhances the overall experience. It symbolizes how architecture can blend with nature and draw inspiration from it.

MULTI-FUNCTIONAL SPACE

Next to the tower is the multi-functional space, which includes a dining room, conference area, and exhibition area. This design encourages community interaction and flexibility. With its transparent walls, the space brings the outside in, allowing natural light to fill the interior and creating a direct link to the landscape. This area accommodates various activities, making it suitable for both large gatherings and smaller occasions.

HUT DESIGNS

The huts are arranged thoughtfully to provide both privacy and a sense of community. They reflect traditional design elements and cater to diverse needs, including accessibility. The variations in the layout of these huts allow for different configurations, enhancing the living experience for residents. Each unit offers a unique perspective of the landscape while maintaining personal space.

WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

A water management system is implemented to support sustainability within the project. A rainwater collection tank, located beneath the upper floor, captures and filters water for use throughout the site. This system ensures efficient resource management and highlights the commitment to environmental responsibility. It connects the structures with their surroundings, suggesting that buildings can coexist harmoniously with nature.

As the sun sets on the Baltic Sea, the forms of the huts blend with the landscape, creating an environment where architecture and nature inform each other.

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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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