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Black Wood Cabins Offering Community Spaces Along a Cycling Route

Author:
Francois Bodlet
Black Wood Cabins Offering Community Spaces Along a Cycling Route

Project in-detail

Constructed from black wood and designed as cylindrical volumes, these cabins provide essential resting spaces for cyclists on the EV6 bike path while fostering community interaction in a natural landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cylindrical cabin design enhances spatial efficiency and user experience.
02
Constructed with black burnt wood to reduce visual disruption in the landscape.
03
Features an open inner courtyard that promotes social interaction among cyclists.
04
Green roof design aids in temperature control and environmental integration.
05
Strategically located along the EV6 bike path, serving as essential resting points.

The design along the EV6 bike path offers a practical solution for cyclists traveling a 4,400 km route from the French Atlantic coast to the Black Sea in Romania. It incorporates cabins that provide resting spaces to support the cycling experience, emphasizing comfort and community. The concept carefully blends functionality with a design that fits well into the surrounding landscape.

Cabin Configuration

The cabins come in two cylindrical forms, positioned on either side of the bike path. This layout separates different functions effectively. One cabin focuses on essential services like bike storage, bathrooms, and dining areas, while the other offers accommodation with two bedrooms. This thoughtful arrangement allows users to navigate between services and rest without confusion, enhancing the overall experience along the route.

User Experience

At the heart of the design is an open inner courtyard featuring a large window. This aspect helps to bring natural light inside and bridges the interior with the outdoor landscape. The courtyard encourages social interaction among cyclists, promoting a sense of community. As cyclists approach the cabins, the layout effectively calms their pace, inviting them into a space intended for relaxation and connection.

Material Palette

The exterior of the cabins uses black burnt wood, which helps the structures stand out in a subtle way while reducing disruption to the surrounding area. Inside, lighter wood finishes create a warm environment, contrasting with the darker exterior. Each bedroom prioritizes comfort, furnished with two beds and ample storage, addressing the practical needs of cyclists effectively.

Sustainability Features

The design incorporates a green roof that enhances ecological sustainability, helping with temperature control and blending the buildings into the natural setting. The ground around the cabins is covered with gray river gravel, which allows water drainage and reduces maintenance needs. This combination of features shows consideration for the environment while providing necessary facilities for users.

The connection between the open roof, inner courtyard, and wide views creates a welcoming atmosphere for cyclists along the EV6 bike path. It offers both a place to rest and an opportunity to engage with the landscape, reflecting a thoughtful approach to design that serves a unique purpose.

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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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