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Cascading Vines and Rammed Earth Create a Tranquil Forest Retreat

Authors:
Nancy Rodriguez, Micah Wiersma, Trevor Garland
Cascading Vines and Rammed Earth Create a Tranquil Forest Retreat

Project in-detail

Cascading vines envelop a rammed earth foundation, creating a serene meditation cabin that harmonizes with the Latvian forest environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cascading vines are integrated into the design, providing natural insulation and aesthetic appeal.
02
The cabin's rammed earth foundation enhances thermal efficiency, adapting to seasonal temperature changes.
03
A geotextile wrap at the start supports rapid plant growth for a living building facade.
04
The internal layout prioritizes open views, facilitating meditation amidst the natural surroundings.
05
Water is collected through a canvas roof, directing rainwater to an underground cistern for sustainable use.

Eventual Vestige is a Silent Meditation Forest Cabin located in the forests of Latvia. The design focuses on creating an intimate relationship between the cabin and the surrounding nature, aiming to provide a space that encourages reflection and tranquility. By drawing on the idea of building upon historical foundations, the concept embraces sustainability while also recognizing the nature of impermanence in both architecture and life.

Design Concept
The cabin features an open layout that emphasizes views of the sky and trees. This layout enhances the experience of meditation, allowing users to find peace in their surroundings. A rammed earth foundation supports the structure, providing strength and helping to maintain a comfortable temperature inside.

Materiality
Lightweight materials make up the cabin's exterior, allowing for easy integration with the natural environment. These materials support the idea of a welcoming space, inviting natural light and outdoor elements indoors. Cascading vines are intentionally included in the design, creating a natural curtain that softens the transition between inside and outside.

Temporal Evolution
The design includes a timeline that outlines how the cabin will change over the years. In the first year, a geotextile wraps around the structure, supporting the growth of plants that will enhance its appearance. After two decades, jasmine vines will cover the walls, creating a lush, green façade. By the end of its second century, metal elements will have either rusted away or been removed entirely, allowing nature to reclaim the building.

Functional Features
Among the practical aspects of the cabin is a chimney that aids in ventilation, contributing to the overall comfort of the space. A water-collecting canvas roof directs rainwater into a cistern located out of sight, providing a sustainable supply of water for various needs. These features are thoughtfully integrated into the design, ensuring they serve a purpose while maintaining a pleasing aesthetic.

The cabin's design culminates in an outdoor area with an earthen platform, featuring seating and a hearth. This space invites visitors to settle and enjoy quiet moments in nature, fostering a sense of peace that reflects the spirit of the forest surrounding it.

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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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