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Bamboo Walkway Connecting Rammed Earth Spaces in a Tranquil Zen Environment

Authors:
Jessica Thomson, Lauren Copping, Grace Losasso
Bamboo Walkway Connecting Rammed Earth Spaces in a Tranquil Zen Environment

Project in-detail

A bamboo walkway guides users through spaces defined by rammed earth and permeable greenery, culminating in a tranquil zen garden designed for yoga practice and communal reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
A bamboo walkway spans the site, enhancing the connection with nature.
02
Rammed earth walls provide structural support while integrating functional spaces.
03
Vegetation openings allow plants to merge with the walkway, enriching the experience.
04
An elevated yoga studio offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
05
The zen garden features a communal seating area and fire pit for gatherings.

"From Ground to Air" is a space designed to create a meaningful connection between people and nature. Located in a setting that encourages calmness and reflection, the project functions primarily as a pathway for yoga practitioners. The central idea is to guide occupants through various experiences, leading them from a grounded beginning to a sense of elevation and calm.

Site Integration

The journey starts with a bamboo walkway that serves as the main route across the site. This walkway meets a rammed earth wall, which provides a strong and solid presence. The wall mirrors the colors and textures of the local landscape, allowing it to blend in while still standing out. Functional areas for rest, changing, and washing are carved into the wall, highlighting practicality within the design.

Spatial Progression

As users move along the walkway, they navigate through spaces that transition from open to enclosed. The western side of the path is open to the elements, inviting fresh air and light, while the eastern side offers a more sheltered experience. Lush foliage lines the walkway, and openings in the structure allow plants to spill onto the path, enhancing the connection to the landscape and creating a richer atmosphere.

Verticality and Light

An important element of the design is the yoga studio, positioned above the walkway. Large windows provide a flow of natural light, and they frame views of the nearby zen garden. A clerestory window further illuminates the space, ensuring it feels open and bright. The presence of exposed timber beams adds structural support, while creating a visual frame that draws attention to the surrounding environment.

Community Space

When participants leave the yoga studio via a rammed earth staircase, they find themselves in the zen garden. This space offers a serene setting for reflection and community. With seating around a fire pit, individuals can gather and share experiences while enjoying the natural backdrop. The garden serves as the concluding part of the journey, emphasizing the shift from the focused practice of yoga to a tranquil outdoor space that encourages relaxation and connection.

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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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