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Charred Spruce Cabin Embracing Nature Through Minimalist Meditation

Authors:
Asal Khalili, Rhea Mazgaonkar, Zeenah Mohammed Ali, Fahmida Ahmed
Charred Spruce Cabin Embracing Nature Through Minimalist Meditation
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Charred spruce cladding forms a retreat that harmonizes with the Ozolini Forest, offering a sunken meditation space and upper deck for immersive reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred spruce cladding enhances durability and visual cohesion with the forest.
02
Sunken meditation area promotes deep immersion in nature.
03
Rainwater collection system supports sustainable living.
04
Flexible design adapts to various tree heights and types.
05
Detachable waste tanks streamline maintenance for extended use.

Lift is located in the Ozolini Forest and is designed as a retreat for meditation and reflection. The cabin takes cues from the vertical shape of the Norway Spruce, making it fit well with the forest. Its design enhances sensory experiences, allowing people to connect deeply with nature while also supporting sustainable living practices.

Structural Integration

The cabin features an interior meditation area that is sunken below the main floor, alongside an exterior upper deck. This arrangement encourages users to engage with the forest canopy and feel a part of their surroundings. The design can adapt to various heights, accommodating different tree types without losing its connection to the site.

Sustainable Amenities

Sustainability plays a key role in the cabin’s design. It includes a compostable sawdust water closet and a rainwater collection system, which helps reduce the environmental impact. The design also incorporates detachable waste and drainage tanks for easy maintenance, supporting a lifestyle that respects nature.

Materiality and Aesthetics

Charred spruce clads the exterior of the cabin, giving it both protection and a visual connection to the forest. This choice of material helps the building blend into its environment. Inside, untreated plywood contributes to a warm, welcoming feel while directing attention to a corner window. This window frames views of the forest, enhancing the experience of being surrounded by nature.

Architectural Details

Functional elements, such as a wood stove and a hand-cranked lantern, provide necessary heating and lighting while keeping things simple. Ample storage is integrated beneath the raised floor, making good use of space without compromising on the cabin’s clean look. The careful arrangement of spaces and materials offers a direct relationship between the cabin’s inhabitants and the forest, emphasizing the retreat’s purpose as a place for quiet contemplation.

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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.

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Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
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Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

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