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Bamboo Cladding and Cork Insulation in a Nature-Integrated Yoga Space

Authors:
Simone Dell'ariccia, Gabriele Gentilomo
Bamboo Cladding and Cork Insulation in a Nature-Integrated Yoga Space

Project in-detail

Utilizing bamboo cladding and cork insulation, the design integrates natural elements into a space dedicated to yoga practice, enhancing both environmental sensitivity and user experience.
5 key facts about this project
01
Bamboo cladding wraps the exterior, enhancing sustainability and aesthetic connection to nature.
02
Cork insulation provides excellent thermal and acoustic properties, improving user comfort.
03
The layout includes a zen garden that serves as a calming entry point for yoga practitioners.
04
A rooftop area offers secluded spaces among trees for contemplation and relaxation.
05
Architectural voids create internal green views, fostering a continuous dialogue with the landscape.

Yoga House is an architectural design that creates a space for yoga practice while connecting to the surrounding environment. Located near a forest and featuring a zen garden, the design uses circular shapes that invite interaction with nature. This approach encourages both personal reflection and group activities, making it a versatile space for different kinds of experiences.

Spatial Organization

The layout includes three key areas that guide the user experience. First, there is the zen garden, an inviting space that is open yet protected. This garden acts as a transitional area, helping visitors prepare for their yoga practice in a calming environment. It serves as the first touchpoint with nature before entering the main building.



Community Engagement

The second area is at the center of the design and is focused on socializing and refreshment. This flexible space can open completely, allowing guests to feel as though they are part of the garden outside. The rooftop area complements this design, providing individual quiet spaces among the trees for relaxation. Together, these features strengthen the relationship between the built environment and the natural world.



Practice Space

The third area functions as the dedicated yoga practice room. It is designed to accommodate groups and promote shared experiences. Its shape opens toward the hill, inviting the natural beauty outside to enhance the yoga experience. This connection emphasizes the essential principles of yoga, showing how individuals relate to their surroundings.



Materiality and Aesthetics

Materials play an important role in achieving the design’s goals. The exterior wood cladding helps with insulation while allowing the building to blend in with the surroundings. Inside, bamboo cladding adds an environmentally friendly touch and enhances the aesthetic quality. Portuguese cork panels provide effective thermal and sound insulation, contributing to comfort. Internally applied white plaster reflects natural light throughout, making spaces feel bright and welcoming. Simple ceramic tiles in the bathrooms are practical for moisture control, ensuring continued functionality.

The combination of thoughtful geometry and material choices creates a calming atmosphere. Light flows through the interior spaces, energizing areas where people gather to practice yoga.

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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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