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Thermal Retreat Featuring Brutalist Concrete and Water-Centric Design Elements

Authors:
Ethan Joseph Holder, Enya Mamie Weinandt, George Martin Grunklee, Tam Junior Le
Thermal Retreat Featuring Brutalist Concrete and Water-Centric Design Elements

Project in-detail

A seamless blend of brutalist concrete and water-centric design creates a therapeutic oasis that serves as both a spa and brewery, inviting visitors to engage with their surroundings while experiencing relaxation and community.
5 key facts about this project
01
Water pathways guide visitors through the space, enhancing sensory experiences and promoting exploration.
02
Natural materials such as charred wood shingles are utilized for their thermal performance and aesthetic appeal.
03
The brewery features an open layout that encourages social interaction and engages visitors in the brewing process.
04
Large glass facades provide unobstructed views, merging interior spaces with the surrounding landscape.
05
The design emphasizes sustainability through climate-responsive materials and layouts that reduce energy consumption.

### Project Overview

Hvildu Spa and Brewery comprises a dual-function facility situated in a tranquil natural setting. The design is intended to reflect themes of refuge and relaxation, integrating the surrounding environment into its overall structure. The project combines spaces for personal wellness through the spa with communal experiences at the brewery, promoting both individual tranquility and a sense of community.

### Spatial Strategy and User Interaction

The layout of the Hvildu project is organized around a ‘water path’ that guides visitors through carefully curated therapeutic spaces. This strategy not only facilitates movement but also enhances engagement with various environments, emphasizing the restorative qualities of water. Key spaces include therapeutic rooms designed for personal relaxation, individual beer spa areas, and communal gathering spots that encourage social interaction amidst moments of solitude.

### Material and Aesthetic Considerations

The architectural approach utilizes a brutalist style characterized by the use of durable materials that respond to the regional climate while fostering a grounded aesthetic. Concrete serves as the primary structural element, enhancing durability and contributing to a raw beauty. This is contrasted by the intentional use of glass, which promotes transparency and visual connection to the natural surroundings. Wood is incorporated in specific areas, such as the beer spa tubs, to provide warmth and tactile contrast. Copper elements are introduced in fixtures to elevate the industrial elegance of the design, reinforcing the functional yet aesthetically cohesive framework.

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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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