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Wooden Slats Resembling Horse Mane Framing a Landmark Tower

Authors:
Ava Nasiri, Minaz Nafe, Nooshin Kayyal, Mehdi Shafikhani
Wooden Slats Resembling Horse Mane Framing a Landmark Tower

Project in-detail

Inspired by the anatomy of a horse, the landmark tower features delicately arranged wooden slats that mimic a mane, all while serving as a multifunctional space that connects occupants to the surrounding landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Inspired by the form of a horse, creating a unique aesthetic connected to local heritage.
02
Wooden slats arranged to depict the movement of a horse's mane, enhancing the design's dynamism.
03
Rooftop photovoltaics integrated for energy generation, aligning with sustainability goals.
04
Prefabricated metal framework allows for efficient assembly and reduced construction time.
05
Interior spaces designed to promote a strong connection with the surrounding landscape.

The landmark tower is located in the Latvian Ardennes region, an area known for its rich cultural heritage and scenic landscapes. Designed to blend function with beauty, the tower embodies the form of a horse, symbolizing strength and elegance. The approach aims to connect the building with its natural surroundings, enhancing the experience for both occupants and visitors.

Form and Aesthetics

The overall design takes inspiration from the anatomy of a horse. The building's shape reflects both stability and movement. Wooden slats make up the façade, arranged in a way that mimics the motion of a horse’s mane. This choice creates a dialogue between the structure and nature, making the design feel alive and engaging.

Materiality

The structure primarily uses metal for its framework, contributing to durability and strength. Wood is featured as a decorative element, linking the design to traditional Latvian styles. Combining these materials grants the structure a lightweight visual quality while ensuring it remains robust. This thoughtful material selection shows a respect for local architectural history.

Sustainability Features

Sustainability is an essential focus. The design incorporates rooftop solar panels for energy production, aligning with local sustainability goals. The heating system is based on heat pumps and includes traditional wood stoves as a backup. This mix not only promotes efficiency but also connects the building to regional traditions.

The façade's thoughtful arrangement of wooden slats creates varying levels of transparency. This design allows natural light to filter into interior spaces, changing the atmosphere throughout the day. The result is a design that fosters a close connection between the building's occupants and their environment.

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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

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