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RINGED SANCTUARY FOR WELLNESS AND REST

Authors:
Ana-maria Lenghen, Razvan ioan Muntean, Silviu ioan Popa
RINGED SANCTUARY FOR WELLNESS AND REST

Project in-detail

House Fo(u)r Innerlight(s) is a yoga retreat designed to foster mindfulness and community within a natural forest setting in Latvia. The project emphasizes a circular spatial organization that integrates indoor and outdoor environments while supporting both collective activities and individual reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with a circular prefabricated structure that enhances community interaction.
02
Incorporates large sliding-folding doors for seamless indoor-outdoor flow.
03
Utilizes locally sourced birch and spruce for structural integrity and warmth.
04
Features a curved dome skylight to optimize daylighting throughout the space.
05
Elevated design minimizes soil moisture impact and enhances landscape views.

Located in a forested setting in Latvia, House Fo(u)r Innerlight(s) functions as a yoga retreat that prioritizes mindfulness, community, and connection to nature. Organized around a central core dedicated to yoga and shared activities, the layout extends outward to include auxiliary spaces that provide privacy and rest. The circular architectural form reflects the principles of unity and introspection inherent in yoga practice, while maintaining a clear spatial hierarchy and encouraging both collective and individual engagement with the environment.

Natural Light and Material Strategy
Natural light is a defining element of the design, with the structure oriented to receive sunlight from five distinct angles. Openings—primarily large sliding-folding glazed panels—frame views and enable strong visual and physical connections to the landscape. Locally sourced timber, including birch and spruce, serves as the main structural and finish material, contributing to thermal comfort and atmospheric warmth. Complementary materials such as laminated timber flooring, mineral wool insulation, and metal roofing in zinc and iron are selected for durability, performance, and contextual appropriateness.

Spatial Configuration and Environmental Response
The radial spatial layout positions the core gathering area at the center, surrounded by private rooms and auxiliary facilities arranged to support varied retreat activities. The raised structure mitigates moisture and improves sightlines, while maintaining a light footprint on the forest floor. Circulation paths and open zones support movement between interior and exterior spaces, fostering a sensory experience grounded in the retreat’s natural surroundings.

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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

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