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Bio-Leather Pavilion Embracing Nature Through Cedar and Gardening

Author:
Zane Hall
Bio-Leather Pavilion Embracing Nature Through Cedar and Gardening

Project in-detail

Crafted from biodegradable cedar and bio-leather, the pavilion dissolves into its environment over time, allowing visitors to engage in meditation amidst evolving plant life and reflecting on the themes of nature and impermanence.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted from biodegradable materials, allowing for sustainable decomposition after 16 weeks.
02
Features a "Garden of Decay," with plants growing between the pavilion's indoor and outdoor spaces.
03
Utilizes bio-leather that permits light transmission, enhancing the interior atmosphere.
04
Incorporates a locker to minimize distractions, creating a focused meditation environment.
05
Designed to foster a direct connection between users and the surrounding natural landscape.

The design focuses on a pavilion that explores the idea of impermanence, encouraging personal reflection and a connection with nature. Located in a contemplative setting, it functions as a meditation space specifically designed to create an atmosphere free from distractions. The overall concept is rooted in promoting mindfulness through an engaging layout and natural elements.

Layout and Functionality

The pavilion is organized into two main areas. The first area, accessed from outside, features a locker for storing belongings that could disrupt concentration during meditation. The second space acts as the primary meditation area, equipped with chairs and planters. These elements invite nature indoors, enhancing the user experience and making the surroundings part of the meditation process.

Environmental Integration

A key element of the design is the "Garden of Decay," which allows plants to grow from the interior to the exterior of the pavilion. This feature establishes a connection between the built environment and the natural world, facilitating a blend that enriches the overall experience. The arrangement encourages awareness of the changing elements around the structure, fostering a deeper interaction with nature.

Materiality and Construction

The building is made from biodegradable materials, specifically cedar wood and bio-leather derived from sea algae. The wooden frame is assembled using screws for support and stability. The outer skin of bio-leather is notable for its thin profile, allowing natural light to permeate, creating a pleasant atmosphere inside. This careful choice of materials highlights the project’s commitment to eco-friendliness.

Biodegradable Features

The bio-leather is designed to break down within a span of 16 weeks, leaving behind a skeletal structure, furniture, and plants. This aspect enhances the pavilion’s emphasis on ephemerality, encouraging visitors to engage with the themes of decay and renewal. As the pavilion changes over time, it offers a unique experience that illustrates the ongoing relationship between the structure and the environment, highlighting the beauty of nature's cycles.

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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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