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Charred Wooden Shingles and Local Stone Craft a Retreat Emphasizing Natural Light and Community

Author:
Barbara Kalwig
Charred Wooden Shingles and Local Stone Craft a Retreat Emphasizing Natural Light and Community

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and local stone, the design creates a harmonious retreat that blends seamlessly with its surroundings while prioritizing natural light and community engagement for meditation and reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes locally sourced stone to create a strong connection with the surrounding landscape.
02
Incorporates charred wooden shingles, enhancing sustainability and fire resistance.
03
Features a bent A-frame design that optimizes structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.
04
Employs cross-laminated timber panels to improve construction efficiency and environmental performance.
05
Designed with extensive glass elements to maximize natural light and views while maintaining privacy.

### Meditation Camp - Stone Barn Overview

Located in a historically rich region, the Meditation Camp - Stone Barn is designed as a sanctuary for meditation, promoting tranquility and introspection. The architectural approach synthesizes traditional forms with contemporary sensibilities, reflecting a commitment to connect the built environment with its natural surroundings. The layout accommodates communal living while allowing for private moments, enhancing both community interaction and personal reflection.

### Spatial Organization

The facility features a strategically arranged layout with modular guest houses accessible via shared pathways, fostering a sense of community among users. A central gathering area, characterized by a vaulted ceiling, enhances the spatial experience and aligns with the meditative purpose of the camp. This design encourages communal engagement while providing versatile spaces for relaxation and contemplation.

### Material Considerations

The selection of materials demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and regional heritage. Local stone forms the foundational walls, emphasizing durability and connection to the surroundings, while timber is utilized in the roof and select wall cladding to enhance warmth and acoustic quality. Concrete provides structural stability and thermal mass, while large glass panels strategically placed throughout the building maximize natural light and offer unobstructed views of the landscape. The use of renewable materials reflects an overarching commitment to ecological balance and community needs, reinforcing the project's cultural significance through the incorporation of local craftsmanship.

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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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