Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Circular Retreat Featuring Natural Light and Flexible Timber Design

Author:
Coralie Jessica Marine Foucault
Circular Retreat Featuring Natural Light and Flexible Timber Design

Project in-detail

Crafted from modular timber and designed with large glass elements to maximize natural light, this circular space offers an adaptable environment for mindfulness and reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using cross-laminated timber panels for enhanced stability and sustainability.
02
Designed with charred wooden shingles, offering improved weather resistance and unique aesthetics.
03
Incorporates large glass panels to blur the lines between interior space and nature.
04
Features modular design elements, allowing for flexible reconfiguration based on user preferences.
05
Utilizes a bent A-frame structure to optimize space and create dynamic interior environments.

### Project Overview

The Mindfulness Pod is situated in an urban context that addresses the increasing need for spaces dedicated to mental clarity and well-being. This micro-architecture is designed to foster mindfulness amidst the distractions prevalent in contemporary life, aiming to create environments that encourage individuals to engage actively with their surroundings.

### Design Parameters

The design philosophy emphasizes three core aspects:

1. **Awareness and Presence**: The structure is intended as a refuge for reflection and meditation, encouraging users to cultivate an awareness of their mental and emotional states.

2. **Human-Centric Approach**: Features are integrated to align with the natural rhythms of human activity, promoting a more intentional engagement with daily routines and countering the pervasive sense of busyness.

3. **Connection to Nature**: The incorporation of natural elements into the design enhances ecological awareness and fosters a relationship between users and their environment, promoting both mental and physical wellness.

### Spatial Arrangement and Materialization

The Mindfulness Pod utilizes distinct spatial configurations and material choices to enhance user experience:

- **Shape and Structure**: The circular design symbolizes wholeness and continuity, fostering organic interactions within the space. An asymmetrical layout further deviates from traditional geometric forms, enhancing user engagement.

- **Material Selection**: Key materials include timber for structural warmth, glass for visual connectivity and separation, stone or concrete for stability, and textiles for comfort. These selections contribute to a cohesive sensory experience.

- **Interior Layout**: Soft seating areas and indoor plants create a relaxing environment while improving air quality, thus reinforcing the pod's purpose as a space for contemplation.

### Sources of Inspiration

The design draws inspiration from biological elements and the concept of impermanence. Fractal geometry informs the spatial fluidity, allowing adaptability to varying environmental conditions. Additionally, the use of flexible materials, such as foldable screens, facilitates dynamic experiences throughout the day, reflecting the changing interactions with light and space.

This architectural design serves not only as a functional space but contributes to broader societal engagement by promoting a lifestyle centered around presence and connection.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

`
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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy