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Renewable-rich microgrids face operational complexity from variable generation, storage dynamics, flexible loads, and the need for human oversight. A layered architecture can manage this complexity by separating functions while preserving coordination. Existing microgrid control architectures often entangle forecasting, scheduling, demand response, and supervisory control. This can make energy management systems brittle, difficult to maintain, and insufficiently accommodating of operator override. This article proposes a layered architecture that cleanly separates forecasting, battery scheduling, demand response, and operator override functions. The aim is to support modular design, resilient operation, and transparent human supervisory control. The architecture is developed conceptually using established ideas from microgrid energy management, hierarchical control, renewable integration, storage scheduling, demand response, and human-in-the-loop supervision. No experiments are conducted, and no quantitative results are presented. The architecture comprises four layers with defined functions, inputs, outputs, decision horizons, and interfaces. A validation plan is reserved for the second part of the article, while this part establishes the architecture logic and the forecasting layer. The proposed architecture offers a blueprint for building modular, resilient, and human-centred microgrid energy management systems. It is intended as a conceptual reference model for future implementation, testing, and refinement.