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Bamboo Retreat Featuring Thatch Roof and Outdoor Serenity

Author:
Steve Pribyl
Bamboo Retreat Featuring Thatch Roof and Outdoor Serenity

Project in-detail

Constructed with locally sourced bamboo and topped with a thatch roof, the retreat offers a tranquil escape focused on meditation and relaxation in the heart of Cambodia's forests.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed entirely from locally sourced bamboo, reinforcing cultural ties.
02
Thatch roofing provides effective thermal insulation suited for the local climate.
03
Designed with flexible outdoor decks to enhance connection with nature.
04
Includes dedicated areas specifically for meditation and relaxation.
05
Layout inspired by traditional Cambodian forms to honor local heritage.

The Remote Hideout Huts project is located in the quiet forests of Cambodia and is designed as a retreat that enhances the connection between visitors and nature. The overall concept focuses on blending in with the environment while reflecting local culture. Each hut provides space for relaxation and meditation, offering a calm escape within the natural landscape.

Architectural Form

The design takes inspiration from traditional Cambodian shapes, particularly resembling local hats. This style reflects the cultural heritage of the area. The layout supports both private reflection and social interaction, allowing visitors to enjoy various activities in thoughtfully arranged spaces.

Materiality

Locally sourced materials are a key part of the design, reinforcing the connection to the environment. Bamboo makes up the walls and screens, known for its strength and suitability for the region. The thatch used for the roof provides effective shelter from the elements and is a technique rooted in local practices. Wood framing offers stability while contributing to the overall rustic look and feel of the huts.

Sustainable Features

Passive cooling is central to the comfort of the huts. Features such as low-speed fans and operable windows encourage natural airflow, reducing the need for energy use. Outdoor decks extend the usable space, allowing for dining and relaxing outdoors. These spaces are designed to enhance interaction with the forest, inviting guests to enjoy the surrounding beauty.

The integration of these design elements creates accommodation that respects and complements its cultural and natural context. Each hut serves not only as a place to stay but also as a means for guests to engage more deeply with the peaceful Cambodian landscape. The play of light and shadow through the thatch roof and bamboo walls adds to the experience, drawing attention to the dynamics between built space and nature.

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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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