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Cedar-Clad Retreat with Sustainable Utility and Natural Light

Authors:
Sam Cox, Nick Thiffeault
Cedar-Clad Retreat with Sustainable Utility and Natural Light

Project in-detail

Constructed with cedar cladding and supported by helical piles, the cabin seamlessly integrates renewable energy solutions and natural light to create a focused environment for meditation and self-reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Raised walking platform minimizes ecological impact while providing essential utilities.
02
Skylight enhances interior natural light and user connection to the environment.
03
Helical piles reduce excavation needs, preserving site integrity.
04
LED lighting powered by photovoltaic cells supports sustainability.
05
Prefabricated sections streamline construction and assembly on-site.

The Mindfulness Cabin is a retreat located in a forest area, designed to support meditation and self-reflection. The overall aim is to create a space that connects users with nature, allowing for deep engagement with the environment. The design focuses on blending with the natural surroundings while promoting mindfulness practices.

Raised Walking Platform
- A raised walking platform is a central feature of the design, created to reduce impact on the forest floor. This platform serves as a pathway while also providing essential access to water and electricity. Its slim structure allows it to fit among the trees, highlighting the importance of preserving the natural landscape.

Prefabricated Construction
- The construction includes prefabricated sections for facilities such as compost toilets and water collection systems. This choice streamlines the building process and minimizes disruption to the site. The modular design enables quick and efficient assembly, aligning with sustainable building practices.

Sustainable Features
- Inside the cabin, dedicated areas include sleeping spaces and a meditation room. These spaces utilize LED lighting that runs on energy from photovoltaic cells. This approach emphasizes sustainability and responsibility to the environment. The design employs steel helical piles that reduce excavation, allowing for a stable foundation without disturbing the surrounding ecosystem.

Natural Illumination
- An important design element is the skylight, which brings natural light into the cabin. This enhances the atmosphere and helps connect users with the outside. A series of walkways connect multiple cabins, encouraging community interaction. Additional features, such as retractable bug screens and sliding glass panels, are included to enhance comfort while keeping the connection to nature.

Materials used in the construction include structural insulated panels and cedar finishes, which align with the design goals and ensure durability.

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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

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