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Balancing Reflection in a Meditation Cavity with Wood and Soil Cladding

Authors:
David Fitoussi, Annabelle Rougemont
Balancing Reflection in a Meditation Cavity with Wood and Soil Cladding

Project in-detail

With a design that incorporates a meditation cavity and walls of wood and soil cladding, the space fosters a deep connection between visitors and the surrounding landscape while serving as a dedicated area for yoga practice.
5 key facts about this project
01
The design includes a meditation cavity that enhances user introspection.
02
The main wall is constructed using wood and soil cladding for natural integration.
03
Rainwater is collected and utilized within the watercourse alongside the walkway.
04
The alignment of the main wall corresponds with the spring equinox sunset.
05
A low wall provides resting areas while maintaining the journey's connection to nature.

The design focuses on creating a dedicated space for yoga practice based on the principles of Hatha Yoga, which emphasize finding balance and recognizing the relationship between opposites, represented by the sun and the moon. Set against a natural backdrop, the design aims to provide an environment that encourages mindfulness and self-reflection. The integration of the structure with its surroundings is key, fostering a connection between the indoor space and the landscape.

Pathway Experience

A central walkway serves as the main approach from the mountain to the Yoga House. This pathway invites users to engage with the environment, allowing them to descend gradually through a landscape of soil and greenery. The walkway is bordered by a low wall that separates the natural elements from the constructed spaces. This wall offers a place to pause, where visitors can lean against or sit, enhancing their reflective journey.

Dedicated Spaces

Next to the pathway is a restoration area that provides calming views of the landscape. It serves as a place for visitors to recharge before their practice. Close to this area, there is a meditation cavity that creates a quiet space for introspection before yoga sessions. The design of this cavity ensures that users feel a sense of privacy and calm, enhancing their overall experience.

Water Integration

A notable feature is the watercourse running alongside the walkway, which collects rainwater from the roof slopes. This water element not only adds to the visual appeal but also plays an important role in managing wastewater from the Yoga House, returning it to the earth. The presence of water symbolizes the flow of energy found in yoga, enriching visitors' experiences as they engage with the space.

Architectural Dialogue

The Yoga House is envisioned as a structure that expresses balance. The primary wall, made from wood and soil cladding, gives the impression of being separate from the mountain while still connecting with its natural surroundings. The floor platforms extend from the landform, deepening the bond between the structure and the earth. Supporting the roof is a wooden frame that links architecture to nature. The design includes an alignment of the main wall with the sunset curve on the day of the spring equinox, highlighting the relationship between the built environment and natural patterns.

As visitors move through the space, they encounter elements that encourage reflection and mindfulness. The interplay of light, space, and water invites each individual to connect with themselves and the environment.

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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

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