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A Forest Cabin with Recycled Wood and Visual Thresholds for Reflection

Authors:
Chelsea Jno baptiste, Sahil Mohan, Savannah Cheung
A Forest Cabin with Recycled Wood and Visual Thresholds for Reflection

Project in-detail

Constructed with recycled wood and designed with visual thresholds, the meditation cabin provides a tranquil space for reflection amidst the forest landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with recycled wood members to minimize environmental impact.
02
Features visual thresholds that enhance the transition from exterior to interior.
03
Strategically oriented to encourage exploration and interaction with the forest.
04
Includes a central altar that aligns with the entrance for focused meditation.
05
Utilizes Simpson Ties for efficient, on-site construction and structural integrity.

Earth Energies Sanctuary is located in the forests of New Zealand and serves as a meditation cabin. The design uses gabled roofs, which draw from the region's traditional architecture. This choice connects the building to its surroundings and creates a welcoming space for visitors. The cabin is placed thoughtfully within the trees, encouraging individuals to pause and connect with the surrounding nature.

Design Approach
The main focus of the design is on the relationship between the building and its environment. The cabin’s orientation invites visitors to walk around it before entering from the south. This approach promotes a deeper engagement with the forest, enhancing the experience of peace and reflection that the space offers.

Spatial Elements
Visual thresholds are created with wooden members framing the cabin. These elements differentiate the exterior environment from the interior meditation area. The depth created by these wooden features helps to transition the visitor’s experience, allowing them to relax as they move from the natural world into a space designed for calm and contemplation.

Materials Used
The cabin includes recycled dimensional wood members and Simpson Ties as structural components. These choices reflect a commitment to sustainability. They also streamline the construction process, allowing for assembly right on site. The materials are selected not only for function but also to align with the project’s ecological values and the natural setting.

Design Details
Upon entering, visitors see a glass door and window arrangement that aligns with a central altar. This design feature acts as an important focal point, guiding individuals on their journey inside. The stone entry and altar add visual interest and weight, creating a sense of grounding within the space. This arrangement invites deeper meditation and thought, enhancing the overall experience.

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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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