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Chiaroscuro Retreat Constructed with Recyclable Wood

Author:
Karolina Kubala
Chiaroscuro Retreat Constructed with Recyclable Wood

Project in-detail

Constructed with recyclable wood and designed with chiaroscuro elements, the cabin serves as a peaceful retreat that encourages disconnection from technology and promotes personal wellness in an urban environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed from recyclable wood to promote sustainability.
02
Features a modular design for flexible placement in various environments.
03
Incorporates chiaroscuro elements to enhance natural light dynamics.
04
Jams telephone signals to encourage digital disconnection.
05
Strategically framed openings provide views of the surrounding urban landscape.

The meditation cabin provides a peaceful retreat in the middle of a busy urban environment, offering a place for individuals to relax and disconnect from their daily routines. The overall design aims to foster a sense of wellness while encouraging users to engage with nature. The cabin's modular structure allows for flexible placement, enabling it to adapt to various settings while fulfilling its primary purpose of promoting tranquility.

Modular Design

This cabin features a modular construction technique that makes it easy to assemble and disassemble. This means it can be moved to different locations as needed, accommodating various communities and environments. The design focuses on practicality, making it a versatile addition to urban spaces.

Material Selection

Walls are made of wood, emphasizing environmental consciousness and sustainability. The warm texture of wood not only enhances the cabin's aesthetic appeal but also supports easy recycling at the end of its useful life. This choice reflects a commitment to reducing ecological impact and aligns with current trends in responsible architecture.

Spatial Experience

The roof is designed to play with light, creating areas of light and shadow throughout the day. This design choice allows users to experience changing conditions, deepening their connection to the outside environment. Openings are strategically placed to frame views of the city, creating a link between urban life and the peaceful atmosphere within the cabin.

Technological Disconnect

To encourage focus and mindfulness, the cabin jams telephone signals, allowing individuals to disconnect from technology temporarily. This feature helps create an environment free from distractions, enabling users to fully engage in relaxation or meditation. The cabin serves as a personal retreat where well-being takes center stage.

Careful design choices have resulted in a space that invites introspection, enhanced by natural views and light that encourage a sense of peace and calm. The thoughtful layout promotes a welcoming environment for all who seek a moment away from the city's demands.

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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
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