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Brown and Blue Retreat Promoting Personal Growth and Empowerment

Author:
Parykhan Ghafour
Brown and Blue Retreat Promoting Personal Growth and Empowerment

Project in-detail

The integration of brown and blue tones creates a calming reading corner that empowers a young woman to explore her aspirations in a supportive and imaginative environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Designed specifically to inspire personal growth in a young woman.
02
Incorporates a unique color palette of brown and blue to evoke comfort and confidence.
03
Symbolism of a tree represents resilience and the potential to overcome obstacles.
04
Natural light is filtered through a blue curtain, balancing openness and warmth.
05
The layout encourages exploration and imaginative thought within a safe environment.

The reading corner is designed specifically for a young lady, aimed at providing a space that addresses the challenges women encounter in society. Functionally, it serves as a personal retreat where the user can find inspiration and motivation. The overall design conveys the message "BE POSITIVE, YOU CAN DO IT." This phrase encapsulates the intention of creating an uplifting environment.

Color as a Design Element

Color plays a significant role in the color selection process, significantly shaping the reading corner's emotional experience. The palette includes brown, which represents earthiness, reliability, and security. This choice helps to ground the space. Blue is used to evoke confidence, stability, and openness. The incorporation of uplifting colors further enhances the environment, fostering an atmosphere of enthusiasm and optimism.

Symbolism and Spatial Arrangement

Symbolism is woven into the design through various elements that speak to the user's journey. The tree imagery conveys themes of struggle and growth. This visual narrative emphasizes the potential for overcoming difficulties. The space is arranged intentionally to be open and inviting, allowing for exploration and personal growth within a safe environment.

Light and Atmosphere

Natural light is an important factor in shaping the reading corner's atmosphere. A blue curtain partially covers the entrance, representing the opportunities that exist beyond comfort zones. This design choice balances openness and enclosure, allowing light to filter in while still providing warmth. The way light interacts with the space contributes to a nurturing environment, encouraging the user to connect with her aspirations.

Attention to detail becomes apparent throughout the design. Each element is thoughtfully placed to support emotional well-being, resulting in a space that goes beyond functionality. The reading corner serves as both a physical retreat and a comforting space, where the user can feel empowered to explore her dreams.

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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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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