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Charred Wooden Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber Panels Enhance a Tranquil Retreat Design

Authors:
Irina Rouby Apelbaum, Cecilia Lo, Negin Farzandi, Sarah Hasan
Charred Wooden Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber Panels Enhance a Tranquil Retreat Design

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and cross-laminated timber panels, the design provides a seamless connection between communal spaces and nature, serving as a retreat for wellness and social interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates locally sourced materials to minimize environmental impact.
02
Features a central meditation hall connected acoustically to a nearby creek.
03
Includes a semi-outdoor kitchen designed for communal cooking experiences.
04
Utilizes innovative cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency.
05
Prioritizes natural light with strategically placed glazing throughout the design.

### Project Overview

Located within a tranquil natural environment, the project addresses the contemporary need for a balanced approach to work and relaxation. The design promotes principles of off-grid living while providing spaces that encourage both communal engagement and individual reflection. A central meditation hall directly interacts with a nearby creek, creating an immersive sensory experience that enhances tranquility and serves as a focal point for the retreat.

### Spatial Configuration and User Experience

The site layout is carefully arranged along a central axis, facilitating a dialogue between private and communal spaces. The ground floor encompasses shared areas for cooking and social gatherings, while the private quarters are designed to ensure privacy and calm. This division allows visitors to engage socially while also seeking solitude, thereby catering to diverse preferences for interaction and retreat.

### Material Selection and Sustainability

The construction employs locally sourced materials to reinforce its environmental ethos. Predominantly featuring timber, the wooden structures enhance the project’s connection to the surrounding landscape. The integration of local natural stone provides both durability and visual appeal, while strategically placed glass elements create a seamless connection with the outdoor environment, inviting natural light and fostering an open atmosphere throughout the interior spaces.

**Key Design Features** include a meditation hall characterized by its tall ceilings and expansive views, an outdoor kitchen that encourages communal activity around food preparation, and wellness facilities such as saunas. Each component is designed to enhance well-being and promote community interaction, contributing to a holistic experience within the retreat's setting.

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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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