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Charred Timber Facades and Traditional Thatch Roofs in a Sustainable Mindfulness Retreat

Authors:
Alina Ludviga, Alice Hewitt, Lucy Hillier
Charred Timber Facades and Traditional Thatch Roofs in a Sustainable Mindfulness Retreat

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred timber facades and traditional thatch roofs, the design creates a harmonious retreat that emphasizes sustainable practices and cultural heritage, facilitating mindfulness and community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes locally sourced reclaimed timber to enhance sustainability.
02
Incorporates traditional thatching techniques for roofing, reflecting local craftsmanship.
03
Features unique hay insulation in accommodations, promoting energy efficiency.
04
Includes a circular sun terrace designed for group meditation and social interaction.
05
Emphasizes seasonal cycles through architectural layout and natural light integration.

# Architectural Analysis Report: The Barn Meditation Camp

## Overview
Located within a tranquil landscape rich in Latvian heritage, the Barn Meditation Camp serves as a dedicated retreat for mindfulness and sustainable living. It emphasizes cultural appreciation and meditation practices through its thoughtful integration of local architectural traditions and natural surroundings. The design intentionally aligns with seasonal cycles and cultural narratives, providing diverse settings for meditation, relaxation, and community engagement.

## Spatial Configuration
The organization of the site features several distinct areas that facilitate the camp's functions. The central structure, known as the Barn, hosts communal meditation spaces, personal reflection areas, and guest accommodations. Complementing the Barn are the Hay Stacks, accommodation units designed using traditional forms and locally-sourced hay for insulation. An outdoor Sun Terrace serves as a gathering spot for group meditation and social interaction, while a Trim Trail connects various elements of the camp, promoting walking meditation and engagement with the landscape.

## Material Selection
The material choices reflect both practicality and cultural symbolism. Reclaimed wood from local structures minimizes environmental impact, while thatch roofing highlights traditional building techniques and enhances insulation. Sun-bleached timber creates a warm interior ambiance, and charred timber used in the exterior facades offers durability and aesthetic character. These materials not only fulfill functional requirements but also reinforce a connection between the built environment and its cultural context, engaging with the landscape's history.

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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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