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Ceramic Brick Cabin with Integrated Greywater Filtration

Authors:
Jack Hymowitz, Alec Rovensky, Elyse Killkelley
Ceramic Brick Cabin with Integrated Greywater Filtration

Project in-detail

Constructed with ceramic bricks, this meditation cabin integrates a greywater filtration system and embraces its natural landscape, offering a sustainable retreat for reflection and tranquility.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using four unique types of ceramic bricks to optimize light and ventilation.
02
Features a double-walled design that enhances storage and separates interior from outdoor spaces.
03
Includes a central basin for rainwater collection, serving as both a handwashing station and a filtration system.
04
Designed to create an integrated greywater canal that nourishes surrounding gardens.
05
Emphasizes sustainability by utilizing local materials and managing water resources effectively.

SCREEN PLAY is located in an area abundant in clay, designed as a meditation cabin. It focuses on creating a connection between the structure and the surrounding environment. The design aims to enhance natural light, promote airflow, and manage rainwater effectively, offering a peaceful place for quiet reflection.

Materials and Construction

Ceramic brick plays a central role in the design and construction of the cabin. Known for its strength and ability to regulate temperature, it is used thoughtfully throughout the structure. Through an iterative process, the design team developed four types of bricks that are arranged creatively, forming a pinwheeled layout. This arrangement not only supports the building’s stability but also enhances the way light interacts with the space.

Spatial Organization and Layout

The meditation cabin has a well-planned layout, featuring a double-walled section that separates the main area from an open-air courtyard. This design element serves both as storage and as a way to connect indoor and outdoor spaces. It allows natural light to flow in while creating an atmosphere that encourages residents to enjoy the outdoors as an extension of their living area.

Water Management System

A key aspect of the design is an efficient rainwater management system. The cabin’s sloped roof directs rainwater into a central basin. This basin functions as a handwashing station and includes a filtration system. Rainwater passes through multiple layers, including sand and gravel, which filter it before it is used in the adjacent gardens. The careful handling of water reflects a commitment to sustainability, allowing for responsible use while enhancing local greenery.

Greywater from the basin flows into the gardens through a gently sloped canal. This design not only supports the plants around the cabin but also integrates the structure with its environment. It all works together to create a harmonious space where natural elements and architectural design coexist.

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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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