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Wood and Glass Retreat Emphasizing Sunset Views by the Coast

Authors:
Aayush Verma, Rahul Narang, Tanishkaa Garg, Saloni Kansal
Wood and Glass Retreat Emphasizing Sunset Views by the Coast
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Set against the backdrop of a rocky Florida beach, this residence employs wood and glass to create a series of open spaces that frame stunning sunset views, allowing residents to connect deeply with the coastal environment while enjoying modern living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Expansive glass openings enhance natural light and views of the surrounding landscape.
02
The design incorporates a courtyard that fosters outdoor living experiences.
03
Wood construction emphasizes sustainability in alignment with coastal conditions.
04
Intimate shared spaces encourage connection between residents and the environment.
05
Strategically placed bathrooms offer unobstructed sunset vistas.

Light House: The Home of Shadows is located on a rocky beach in Florida. It aims to blend living spaces with the surrounding coastal scenery. The design centers around the idea of removing typical boundaries, allowing light to fill the interior. This approach creates a strong relationship between the inside of the home and the natural environment outside, providing a peaceful retreat for the residents.

Design Concept and Layout

The layout focuses on an open arrangement of spaces that include both formal and informal living areas, a kitchen, and dining rooms. Each area has been planned with care to encourage social interaction while still offering moments of privacy. The design features bathrooms that look out toward sunsets, enhancing the experience of living by the coast and inviting people to connect with nature.

Material Selection

Sustainability is a key factor in the choice of materials, with wood being the primary building element. This reflects a commitment to responsible construction practices and durability suited for the coastal setting. Along with wood, the design includes aluminum, glass, and fiber, each providing distinct functions and adding to the overall aesthetic without compromising the structure's strength against coastal conditions.

Connection to the Environment

This home emphasizes a close relationship with its surroundings, allowing residents to experience the sounds and sights of coastal life. Large openings in the design foster interaction with the ocean breeze and gentle waves. Blurring boundaries between inside and outside, the home encourages daily engagement with the natural landscape.

The extensive use of large windows not only lets in plenty of light but also frames the breathtaking views of the ocean, making the landscape an important part of daily living.

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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
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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

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

Open architecture competitions

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    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge

AIA (American Institute of Architects) invites you to design affordable housing in Denver

Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 18 September 2025

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Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

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