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Wooden Villas Enhancing Equestrian Heritage in a Biosphere Reserve

Authors:
Xinyue Wu, Yue Shu, Jinhan Geng, Qing Zhang
Wooden Villas Enhancing Equestrian Heritage in a Biosphere Reserve

Project in-detail

Set within a biosphere reserve, the integration of small wooden villas distinctively enhances the historical equestrian narrative of Omuli while serving as a multifunctional cultural center for community engagement and artistic endeavors.
5 key facts about this project
01
Set within the North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve, promoting ecological harmony.
02
Features small wooden villas, enhancing local equestrian heritage.
03
Designed with natural light optimization for summer illumination.
04
Retains classical facades and significant historical architectural elements.
05
Integrates outdoor pathways with native flora for ecological engagement.

The development in Omuli, Latvia, within the North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve, focuses on revitalizing the town’s cultural landscape. It serves as a hub for community engagement and cultural heritage, merging historical significance with contemporary practices. The overall design intends to create a welcoming space that encourages interaction among residents and visitors, conveying the essence of Omuli through its architectural framework.

Conceptual Framework

The design is divided into specific stages that contribute to the town's identity. The initial stage emphasizes Omuli as a cultural center, setting the tone for the project's vision. Following this, the second stage highlights the historical role of long-distance messenger horses in the community. There is also an emphasis on introducing horses into local culture, as well as showcasing the importance of artists and their works. Together, these stages create a narrative that reflects local history and fosters a sense of place.

Site Interaction

The Omuli School's location within a biosphere reserve is significant for integrating ecology with community engagement. The design addresses challenges such as traffic by providing outdoor spaces that enhance visitor accessibility. The inclusion of small wooden villas signals a connection to traditional building forms while accommodating contemporary needs. These elements create inviting outdoor areas that encourage exploration and community gatherings.

Function and Layout

Inside, the building accommodates multiple functions, including a dedicated museum for horses, artist studios, and living spaces. Key historical elements like classical facades and fireplaces have been retained. This careful preservation respects the traditions of the town while merging them with modern amenities that support current community activities. The result is a layout that reinforces local identity, providing spaces for both individual creativity and communal use.

Environmental Considerations

Attention to local climate conditions plays a crucial role in the design. The orientation maximizes natural light, especially advantageous during summer days. This not only benefits residential areas but also enhances the experience of exhibition spaces. The strategy combines comfort with environmental sensitivity, reflecting a commitment to sustainability in the project.

In the outdoor areas, pathways meander through spaces that feature native plants. This design choice promotes biodiversity while encouraging interactions with the landscape. Visitors can walk along these paths, engaging with the natural surroundings and experiencing the traditions of horse culture woven into the fabric of the site. The thoughtful integration of nature into the design reinforces the connection between the built environment and the community's historical roots.

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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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