Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Triangular Roof and Central Fireplace in a Natural Retreat

Authors:
François Chenon, Baptiste Mourcel
Triangular Roof and Central Fireplace in a Natural Retreat

Project in-detail

With a central fireplace and a distinctive triangular roof, this guest house offers a harmonious blend of comfort and connection to nature, creating an inviting retreat designed for reflection and community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Distinctive triangular roof design enhances water drainage and complements local architectural heritage.
02
Central fireplace serves as both a heating source and a communal gathering point for guests.
03
Ground floor includes dedicated drying and packing areas for locally sourced tea leaves.
04
Built on a stone base, creating a connection between modern design and traditional techniques.
05
Large canopy structure allows for natural light while maintaining a protective environment.

The Teamakers Guest House, known as CANOPY, is located in the tranquil setting of the Ozolini retreat. It is designed to enhance the connection between guests and the natural environment, serving as a place for reflection, learning, and social interaction. The concept revolves around creating a protective space that allows for a continuous relationship between indoor and outdoor areas, encouraging a close engagement with the surrounding landscape.

Design Concept

CANOPY draws inspiration from natural canopies that provide growth and shelter. The structure resembles a greenhouse, offering transparency while creating a safe and inviting place for guests. By reducing the boundaries between the inside and outside, the design enhances the sensory experiences available to visitors, encouraging them to enjoy the beauty of the retreat.

Architectural Form

The building's triangular roof reflects traditional Latvian forms. This design choice pays respect to local architecture while providing practical benefits, such as effective drainage. The structure sits atop a solid stone base, blending modern design with traditional techniques. This combination of old and new elements weaves a narrative that invites guests to appreciate both the history and the advancements in the area.

Spatial Organization

CANOPY is thoughtfully laid out to balance function with movement. The ground floor includes vital areas for storage and drying, which are essential for processing locally sourced tea leaves and herbs. These operational spaces are paired with living and workshop areas above, creating an accessible environment for all guests. A central staircase connects the different levels, guiding visitors to both social and quiet spaces intended for relaxation and contemplation.

Core Design Feature

At the heart of CANOPY is a central fireplace. This feature serves as a major heat source and plays a key role in gathering guests. It symbolizes warmth and hospitality, providing a focal point where visitors can come together. The fireplace enhances the experience in a space designed for connection and calm, reinforcing the sense of community that the Teamakers Guest House aims to foster.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

`
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
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy