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Charred Wooden Shingles and Stone Construction in a Tranquil Meditation Retreat

Author:
Lucy Wang
Charred Wooden Shingles and Stone Construction in a Tranquil Meditation Retreat

Project in-detail

Constructed with charred wooden shingles and local stone, the meditation retreat offers a harmonious blend of traditional craftsmanship and sustainable materials, creating a serene environment for reflection and community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using locally sourced stone, ensuring minimal transportation impact.
02
Features charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and aesthetic appeal.
03
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency and warmth.
04
Utilizes a bent A-frame design to maximize natural light and views.
05
Adaptively reuses existing structures to preserve cultural heritage and reduce waste.

**Project Overview**
The Vidzeme Stone Barn Meditation Camp is situated in a tranquil rural area of Latvia, designed to address contemporary requirements for reflection and tranquility. The project integrates traditional building methodologies with modern design sensibilities, establishing a connection between historical and contemporary architectural practices while promoting a deep engagement with the surrounding natural environment.

**Spatial Organization and User Experience**
The architectural layout prioritizes a strong relationship with the landscape, facilitating visual and physical interactions with natural elements. Accommodation spaces are arranged for privacy, while communal areas, including dining and meditation halls, encourage social interaction among users. The design enhances the overall user experience by creating a natural flow between private and group environments, supporting both individual contemplation and community engagement.

**Materiality and Sustainability**
The design incorporates a thoughtful selection of materials to enhance functionality and aesthetic coherence. Natural stone forms the basis of the facades, drawing on the region's agricultural heritage, while wood is utilized for framing, adding warmth and context. Concrete elements provide necessary structural stability. This choice of materials emphasizes sustainability by using local sources, thereby minimizing transportation emissions and fostering an ecological approach to construction. The project also respects and adapts existing structures, contributing to a narrative of heritage preservation within a contemporary framework.

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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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