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Bamboo Skin Retreat Embracing Rainwater Collection and Natural Light

Authors:
Leon Zorraquin, Santiago Gilardi
Bamboo Skin Retreat Embracing Rainwater Collection and Natural Light

Project in-detail

A bamboo skin envelops a retreat designed for meditation, harnessing natural light and rainwater collection to create a harmonious connection with the surrounding landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Bamboo skin filters sunlight and embodies the concept of komorebi.
02
Sliding glass doors provide unobstructed views while maintaining shelter.
03
Rainwater is collected through a bespoke gutter system into a stone bowl.
04
Storage solutions are integrated within the steps of the interior.
05
Prefabricated wooden components facilitate efficient on-site assembly.

KOMOREBI is situated in Vale de Moses, Portugal, and functions as a retreat designed for meditation and mindfulness practices. The overall design concept revolves around the relationship between indoor and outdoor areas. By utilizing layered architectural elements, the structure blends with the natural surroundings and enhances the user experience.

Structure and Materials

The main feature of the cabin is its bamboo skin, which serves as the outer facade. This material effectively filters sunlight and reflects the Japanese idea of komorebi, where light filters through leaves. This choice strengthens the connection to nature and creates a welcoming environment shaped by natural light.

Spatial Configuration

The interior is simply organized, featuring areas for meditation and treatment alongside necessary storage. Sliding glass doors allow for easy interaction with the landscape while offering protection from the weather. Curtains provide privacy and limit outside distractions, creating a focused atmosphere that encourages contemplation.

Water Integration

The design includes a washing facility placed outside the main cabin, linked to a water tank that provides continuous access to water. This arrangement helps maintain the visual appeal of the interior and reinforces the connection to the environment. A gutter collects rainwater, directing it into a stone bowl, which adds a practical element while introducing the calming sound of flowing water.

Sustainable Design Strategy

Using precut wood components, the construction minimizes on-site assembly, making it efficient. This method also allows for future relocation, providing flexibility if the need arises. The use of glass sliding windows and bamboo canes promotes natural ventilation, ensuring comfort indoors. These design aspects highlight sustainability as a key focus.

The thoughtful interplay of light and shadow, combined with the careful integration of nature, creates a peaceful space for reflection and connection, making the cabin a meaningful retreat.

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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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