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Cedar Shingles and Skylights Create Grounded Retreat in Nature

Authors:
Ewa Serafińska, Patrycja Seruga, Sylwia Paleczna
Cedar Shingles and Skylights Create Grounded Retreat in Nature

Project in-detail

Crafted from cedar shingles and defined by a central skylight, the meditation cabin channels energy inward while providing a tranquil space for mindfulness and reflection in the heart of New Zealand's bush.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted using locally sourced cedar shingles for sustainability.
02
Features a central skylight that connects users to the night sky.
03
Incorporates a movable altar for processing herbs on-site.
04
Designed with a circular layout to enhance communal meditation.
05
Utilizes a carefully planned viewing axis aligned with surrounding trees.

The Tiny Kiwi Meditation Cabin is a carefully designed space located in a clearing within the local New Zealand bush. It functions as a retreat for meditation and reflection, focusing on a strong connection between its users and the surrounding landscape. The design is centered around a circular shape that pulls energy from the environment and directs it inward, fostering a peaceful atmosphere for mindfulness practices.

Circular Form and Energy Flow

The circular design of the cabin plays a key role in its overall impact. It gathers energy from nature and channels it toward the interior, promoting a feeling of unity and togetherness among those who use the space. The layout includes a carefully planned viewing axis that aligns with the trees outside, enhancing visual connections to the natural setting and encouraging users to engage with their surroundings.

Light and Spatial Experience

Natural light occupies an important place in the cabin's design. Openings in the structure allow sunlight to stream in, creating engaging patterns of light and shadow throughout the day. A large skylight serves as a focal point, bringing the night sky into the cabin. This feature reinforces the sense of calm and reflection, allowing occupants to feel a connection to both the earth and the cosmos during their meditation.

Materiality and Sustainability

The cabin’s construction emphasizes local materials, aligning with a commitment to sustainability. Cedar wood shingles are used for their durability and ability to blend with the environment. Timber frames and interior cladding echo the natural surroundings, enhancing the cabin’s integration into its location. A concrete foundation provides necessary stability while adapting to the unique characteristics of the land.

Functional Elements and Interior Arrangement

Flexibility is essential in the cabin's interior, catering to a variety of activities related to meditation and mindfulness. A movable altar for processing herbs is a practical element, inviting users to interact meaningfully with their environment. The interior design encourages informal gathering arrangements, enabling participants to create circles during meditation sessions. This setup supports social interaction while still honoring individual moments of reflection.

The entrance features a sliding wooden door that complements the overall look of the cabin. It offers easy access and reflects traditional design influences, connecting the structure to its natural surroundings.

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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
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