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Charred Wooden Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber Enveloping a Sustainable Wellness Retreat

Author:
CECILIA MARINA
Charred Wooden Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber Enveloping a Sustainable Wellness Retreat

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and cross-laminated timber, the design creates a sustainable wellness retreat that harmonizes with its natural surroundings while providing spaces for meditation and reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes local charred wooden shingles for enhanced fire resistance and aesthetic integration.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency and reduced carbon footprint.
03
Design features a bent A-frame structure, maximizing interior space while minimizing material use.
04
Includes meditation shelters dispersed throughout the landscape to enhance solitude and connection to nature.
05
Employs rainwater harvesting systems to promote sustainable water management onsite.

### Project Overview
Located in Madona, Latvia, the Stone Barn Meditation project serves as a wellness retreat set within a landscape characterized by its extensive forests and natural beauty. The intent of the design is to establish a serene environment that promotes reflection, introspection, and a connection to the surrounding nature. The architectural concept emphasizes a human-centric approach, emphasizing the influence of the built environment on individual well-being.

### Spatial Organization and Functional Zoning
The spatial design strategically organizes the site into distinct public and private areas. The main building serves as a communal hub, incorporating facilities such as reception, yoga spaces, and shared gathering areas. Additionally, lightweight guest cabins provide private accommodations that maintain intimacy with the landscape, while meditation shelters are intentionally dispersed throughout the site to offer varied contemplative experiences. Agricultural areas, including a farm and orchard, contribute to both the retreat's sustenance and the ecological enhancement of the local environment. This configuration encourages exploration of the natural surroundings through carefully designed pathways that invite interaction with the site.

### Material Selection and Sustainable Technology
The project employs an array of materials selected for their sustainability and functional benefits. Polycarbonate panels are utilized in greenhouse sections for optimal light diffusion and thermal performance, facilitating year-round cultivation. Locally sourced wood forms the structural elements, while recycled wood is employed in interior finishes. Gypsum serves as an internal moisture-regulating finish, enhancing comfort. To further promote sustainability, the project incorporates advanced technologies such as passive solar heating and rainwater management systems. Solar panels are deployed to generate renewable energy to power communal areas, underscoring the project’s commitment to environmental stewardship and resource efficiency.

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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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