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Timber Framing Within a Grassland Hearth Emphasizing Community Interaction

Author:
Alexandre Karpov
Timber Framing Within a Grassland Hearth Emphasizing Community Interaction

Project in-detail

Constructed from timber framing and integrated within grassland, the design promotes community interaction around a central hearth, creating a gathering space that invites outdoor engagement in the Great Kemeri Bog Nature Preserve.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with timber framing that seamlessly blends with the natural landscape.
02
Features a central hearth designed to promote community gatherings.
03
Integrated grassland creates a visual continuity with the surrounding environment.
04
Arranged in two independent wings for operational flexibility and energy efficiency.
05
Includes a visitor tunnel that enhances the transition between nature and community spaces.

Tent Hill is located in the Great Kemeri Bog Nature Preserve, providing a connection between nature and the community. The design centers around a communal hearth, aiming to encourage social interactions among visitors. It is carefully crafted to preserve the natural beauty of the area while offering spaces for engagement and memorable experiences.

Visitor Center

The visitor center acts as a protective screen for parking areas and the nearby road. One key feature is the gateway tunnel, which directs visitors into the peaceful environment, leading them to a central fire pit that represents the heart of the community. This design invites interaction, creating a welcoming experience from the moment people arrive.

Architectural Form

The visitor center is designed like an unrolled tent. This choice adds warmth while allowing views of the surrounding landscape. The structure is integrated with grassland, effectively making the building appear as part of the hill itself. This clever design minimizes visual impact, providing visitors with a sense of being in harmony with the natural surroundings.

Spatial Organization

The layout of Tent Hill is straightforward, facilitating easy movement through the site. Different spaces are grouped into two wings, which can function independently when needed. This arrangement offers flexibility and energy efficiency. Central plumbing is accessible for all, ensuring that the facilities support visitors without detracting from their experience.

Materials

Timber framing and panels are the specified materials for the construction. These materials align with the forested environment and promote sustainability. The walls are shaped to create smooth visuals, encouraging comfort and social interactions among visitors.

Sunlight plays an important role in the design, enhancing the outdoor experience while providing shelter. The thoughtful arrangement invites people to connect with both the structure and the natural world around them.

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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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