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Altar-Centered Retreat with Natural Wood and Integrative Pathways

Author:
Hugo Wennmyr
Altar-Centered Retreat with Natural Wood and Integrative Pathways
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With a central altar and carefully designed pathways that encourage wildlife encounters, the retreat immerses visitors in nature while providing a serene space for meditation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Central altar designed to capture optimal sunlight for meditation.
02
Pathways integrated with native flora to enhance wildlife encounters.
03
Positioned to maximize views of the surrounding hills and lake.
04
Minimalistic wood construction prioritizes sustainability and longevity.
05
Clearings provide natural light and a serene atmosphere for reflection.

The Tiny Kiwi Meditation Cabin serves as a space for quiet reflection in a natural setting. Located near rolling hills and a calm lake, the cabin is designed to create a sense of peace and connection to the landscape. The design concept focuses on providing a retreat where visitors can slow down and enjoy the surrounding beauty, encouraging mindfulness and relaxation.

Site Integration

The cabin is thoughtfully placed along a path that guides visitors through greenery, enhancing the experience of getting to the space. This route prepares individuals for the calm atmosphere within. Along the way, encounters with local wildlife, such as birds and frogs, enrich the experience and deepen the connection to nature.

Spatial Configuration

Attention to spatial layout ensures the cabin captures sunlight throughout the day. The structure is oriented in a way that allows for views of the tree canopy, creating a balance between openness and privacy. The clearing surrounding the cabin provides a quiet setting for meditation, with careful design promoting an overall feeling of tranquility.

Materiality

Wood is a primary material used in the cabin, reflecting the natural environment and supporting the retreat's atmosphere. The design includes a central altar that has been adjusted to allow more sunlight, making it a focal point for meditation. The use of simple materials reinforces a minimalistic style, helping the structure blend into the landscape rather than stand out.

Inside the cabin, openings invite sunlight to fill the space, casting warm rays that highlight areas for reflection at different times during the day. This thoughtful integration of light enhances the feeling of peace and invites users to engage with their surroundings.

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Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
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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

Open architecture competitions

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    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
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    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
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Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 18 September 2025

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Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

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