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Aluminum Panels and Sliding Windows Enhancing Meditation in a Wood Retreat

Author:
Emmanuel Barraud
Aluminum Panels and Sliding Windows Enhancing Meditation in a Wood Retreat

Project in-detail

With sliding windows that disappear entirely and a structure highlighted by anodized aluminum panels, the cabin creates a meditative space that directly connects users to nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
The cabin utilizes sliding windows that seamlessly disappear, enhancing the indoor-outdoor experience.
02
Constructed with solid wood planks, the design emphasizes a tactile relationship with natural materials.
03
Anodized aluminum panels contribute to the structure's modern aesthetic while ensuring durability.
04
The cabin operates solely on solar energy, highlighting a commitment to environmental sustainability.
05
Interior spaces are meticulously arranged to promote privacy and facilitate focused meditation.

The TINY KIWI Meditation Cabin is a thoughtfully designed space focused on mindfulness and introspection. Located within a natural environment, the cabin serves as a retreat that allows users to escape the pressures of everyday life. The design aims to create a close connection between people and nature, facilitating moments of reflection and calm.

Design Concept

The architecture of the TINY KIWI Meditation Cabin is centered on the idea of merging the built environment with its surroundings. As a floating structure, it provides a dedicated space for tranquility, allowing users to transition from a busy world to a peaceful setting. The arrangement of spaces encourages users to experience a deeper connection to nature, underscoring the significance of meditation in everyday life.

Materials and Aesthetics

The cabin features solid wood planks along with anodized and polished aluminum panels. These materials not only enhance the visual appeal but also support the overall design concept. The entrance acts as a welcoming threshold that invites individuals to enter a quieter state of mind, reflecting the beauty of the environment beyond it.

Spatial Organization

Inside, the spaces are purposefully laid out to promote privacy and comfort. Key structural elements create areas where individuals can meditate without interruption, fostering a sense of security. A rolling cabinet serves a dual purpose: functioning as an altar and providing storage for meditation mats. This design choice aligns with the cabin's minimalist approach, emphasizing practicality alongside aesthetic quality.

Sustainability and Functionality

The TINY KIWI Meditation Cabin focuses on sustainability, relying solely on direct solar energy for heating. This approach demonstrates a commitment to environmental care and enhances the connection between users and their surroundings. Additionally, the use of sliding windows and wooden frame rails provides flexibility, allowing the inside and outside to interact.

The design features windows that can disappear completely, allowing for an extended view of the natural landscape. This detail creates a strong link between the cabin and the environment, enabling nature to flow unobstructed into the meditative space.

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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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