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Birch Plywood Sheltered Spaces Promoting Tranquility and Connection

Authors:
Pedram Karimi, Shahrzad Nasiri
Birch Plywood Sheltered Spaces Promoting Tranquility and Connection

Project in-detail

Constructed with treated birch plywood and designed to create individual meditation spaces, this environment fosters tranquility and connectedness among users while providing a functional retreat for reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Personal meditation areas align with framed views of nature.
02
Each space incorporates practical shelving and storage solutions.
03
Constructed with treated birch plywood for environmental sustainability.
04
Design emphasizes community interaction without compromising privacy.
05
Quiet wall systems enhance acoustic separation between spaces.

Zazen is designed to create a peaceful environment for meditation and reflection, integrating harmoniously with its natural surroundings. It encourages personal contemplation while fostering a sense of connection among users. The design focuses on individual meditation spaces that allow for personal practice without isolating participants, which helps build community among users.

Personal Spaces

The layout of Zazen draws inspiration from the traditional Lotus sitting position, influencing the arrangement of customized meditation areas. Each space is carefully oriented to frame views of the surrounding landscape, enhancing the occupants' connection with nature. This thoughtful design promotes interaction while allowing individuals to concentrate on their meditation. A dedicated area for the instructor ensures guidance remains accessible to all.

Functional Elements

Practicality is a key aspect of the design, with each meditation area equipped with shelving units and storage to meet various needs during sessions. These functional features enable efficient use of space, making each area adaptable for different activities beyond meditation. Additionally, enclosed storage within the walls maximizes utility and keeps the environment organized.

Material Choices

Material selection is crucial in supporting the overall concept. The exterior cladding consists of 90mm x 32mm materials, offering a natural look that aligns with the surroundings. Structural strength is provided by 30mm x 10mm battens, while a Delta Fassade S-UV-Stable Barrier, measuring 2.5mm, ensures the durability of the building's envelope. Rigid insulation of 20mm enhances thermal performance, complemented by a 1.5mm air vapour barrier for effective moisture control. Treated birch plywood sheathing at 18mm adds stability and reflects an environmentally responsible choice.

Zazen presents an environment where each meditation space offers a unique experience, allowing for personal reflection and a sense of community. The incorporation of natural views and practical design elements combines to create a space that encourages mindfulness and a deeper connection to the outdoors.

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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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