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Wood Fiber Insulation and Historical Preservation in a Green Retreat

Authors:
Nathalie Van wees, Robin Koelmans
Wood Fiber Insulation and Historical Preservation in a Green Retreat

Project in-detail

Incorporating wood fiber insulation and historical preservation techniques, the retreat enhances its natural surroundings while offering spaces for artistic expression and relaxation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates wood fiber insulation to enhance thermal performance.
02
Utilizes existing chimneys for ventilation and solar airflow.
03
Retains and reprints original wallpaper patterns for historical authenticity.
04
Artist studios are designed to maximize natural light from the north.
05
Includes a greenhouse and landscaped walking paths for outdoor engagement.

The New Omulí project is situated in the North Vidzem Biosphere Reserve, an area recognized for its natural beauty. The building serves diverse functions, catering to tourists, artists, and long-term guests. The overall design aims to connect the constructed spaces with the surrounding environment while preserving key historical aspects of the site.

Historical Preservation

A significant focus of the design is to safeguard the historic features of the building. This involves careful renovation strategies that ensure the original character remains intact. By keeping existing structures, the design honors the history of Omulí, allowing visitors to experience a strong sense of place.

Sustainability Measures

Sustainability is an essential goal for the project, reflecting current ecological responsibilities. The design incorporates existing elements to reduce environmental impact and includes features such as reused chimneys for ventilation. Solar chimneys, painted black to enhance airflow, adopt modern energy-saving practices.

Material Choices

The materials selected for the renovation enhance both sustainability and aesthetic quality. Wood fiber insulation is used to improve energy efficiency, offering better thermal performance. Additionally, the existing wallpaper patterns are preserved and reprinted, blending historical authenticity with contemporary updates.

Spatial Organization

The layout strategically balances public and private spaces. This structure encourages interaction among guests while providing areas for quiet reflection. Artist studios are located on the northern side, allowing ample natural light. A central communal area serves as a gathering space, enhancing engagement within the building.

The design includes outdoor features such as a greenhouse and landscaped walking paths. These elements reinforce the connection between the building and its natural surroundings, allowing visitors to appreciate the beauty of the environment throughout their stay.

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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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