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Arching Cedar Cabins Embracing Sustainable Design in a Natural Landscape

Authors:
Eduardo manuel Ferreira da conceicao, Anna Wentritt
Arching Cedar Cabins Embracing Sustainable Design in a Natural Landscape

Project in-detail

Utilizing locally sourced cedar and a distinctive arch design, the retreat seamlessly integrates with the landscape to offer a sustainable haven for yoga and wellness.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes a bent A-frame design that optimizes natural light and views.
02
Constructed with cross-laminated timber panels for enhanced structural stability.
03
Features charred wooden shingles that promote durability and fire resistance.
04
Incorporates a greywater management system for sustainable water use.
05
Integrates terraced landscaping that supports local biodiversity and food production.

PineCone Cabin is an architectural project located in Vale de Moses, Portugal, designed primarily as a yoga retreat. This project embodies a thoughtful integration with its natural surroundings, prioritizing sustainability and a communal atmosphere. The architecture features a series of cabins configured to enhance the well-being of their users while maintaining a low environmental impact. Through a blend of modern design principles and local traditions, PineCone Cabin represents a functional space dedicated to wellness and community engagement.

Unique Design Approaches
The PineCone Cabin project employs a modular design strategy that emphasizes flexibility and adaptability. Each cabin is structurally sound, courtesy of locally sourced timber used for the framework, while their roofs are characterized by an arch design that enhances both spatial quality and structural integrity. This form also offers aesthetically pleasing lines that blend with the natural hillside. The interior of each cabin features adjustable elements that cater to various user needs, allowing spaces to transition seamlessly from meditation areas to yoga studios.

Sustainability is embedded in the project’s core, as the design incorporates a rainwater collection system and greywater treatment for irrigation, supporting the landscape surrounding the cabins. Additionally, the use of biodegradable insulation materials, such as hemp, contributes to the eco-friendliness of the construction. The inclusion of solar panels on each cabin allows for energy self-sufficiency, reflecting an innovative approach to building practices that align with contemporary environmental standards.

Architectural Integration with Landscape
The architectural strategy emphasizes its relationship with the surrounding topography in Vale de Moses. Each cabin's placement considers solar orientation to maximize natural light while respecting the contours of the land. Terraced planting around the cabins not only enhances the visual appeal but also fosters a sustainable environment that can produce food for the community. The design incorporates pathways that facilitate movement throughout the site, ensuring access to communal areas and natural features, thus further promoting a sense of connectivity and engagement.

The PineCone Cabin project serves as a model for architecture that harmonizes with its environment through innovative, sustainable design. For those interested in exploring the architectural plans, sections, and detailed designs of PineCone Cabin, further investigation into this project will provide deeper insights into its unique architectural ideas.

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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
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