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Traditional Sauna and Artist Accommodations Within a Rehabilitated School Building

Author:
Claudio c. Araya
Traditional Sauna and Artist Accommodations Within a Rehabilitated School Building

Project in-detail

Set within a rehabilitated school, the design incorporates artist accommodations and a traditional sauna, transforming the space into a multifunctional cultural hub that supports community engagement and artistic collaboration.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rehabilitation of an existing school building preserves its historical character.
02
Integration of a traditional sauna within the cultural hub enhances community wellness.
03
Flexible exhibition spaces accommodate a range of artistic presentations.
04
Dedicated artist accommodations foster collaboration and creativity.
05
Common areas promote social interaction among visitors and artists.

The Omuli Museum is located within a rehabilitated school building, designed to function as a cultural center that connects historical elements with contemporary artistic practices. The overall design concept emphasizes community engagement and functionality. By preserving the original structure, it fosters a relationship between the past and present, making it a space for both visitors and artists.

Ground Floor Design

The ground floor covers 435 square meters and is primarily focused on communal and operational activities. It features workshop spaces, a kitchenette, a canteen, and a reception area, all arranged to facilitate social interaction. Administrative and storage areas are included to support museum functions, ensuring a flexible layout that can adapt to gatherings and events that invite public involvement.

Artist Accommodations

The second phase introduces artist accommodations, which are essential for nurturing creativity and collaboration. This area includes a meeting point and leisure space, promoting informal connections between artists and guests. By emphasizing these aspects, the design encourages a vibrant atmosphere that welcomes both local and visiting creators, positioning the museum as a center for artistic exchange.

Exhibition Spaces

In the third phase, the design incorporates overnight accommodations alongside dedicated exhibition areas for permanent, temporary, and open displays. This arrangement allows for a variety of presentations that can cater to a wide audience. Important visitor amenities, such as dressing rooms, showers, and a traditional sauna, enhance the experience, integrating cultural practices into the museum’s framework.

Conceptual Framework

The core idea behind the Omuli Museum is to rehabilitate the existing structure, creating a blend of historical significance and modern design. By layering these elements, the museum retains the character of the original school while introducing contemporary features that improve usability and access. This careful integration invites visitors to explore and appreciate the space, highlighting its role as both an educational facility and a community gathering point.

One notable feature is how the ground floor common areas transition into exhibition spaces, encouraging visitors to discover art in an open, inviting manner. The thoughtful design creates an environment that values both the past and the present, enriching the cultural landscape of the area.

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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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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