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Cob Platforms and Thatch Roof Blend for Mindful Retreat in Forested Setting

Authors:
Sohan Tari, Minna Bansal
Cob Platforms and Thatch Roof Blend for Mindful Retreat in Forested Setting

Project in-detail

Hand-sculpted cob platforms and a thatch roof create a harmonious retreat that promotes mindfulness within a forested landscape, inviting users to engage with nature while practicing meditation and reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Hand-sculpted cob platforms serve as multifunctional spaces for meditation and resting.
02
The cabin incorporates a green roof, enhancing ecological integration with the forest.
03
An earthen fireplace utilizes natural materials for efficient heating in winter.
04
A rainwater collection system supports sustainable resource management.
05
The outdoor tree pit toilet enriches the soil and fosters new plant growth.

The Karma Yoga Cabin is located in a quiet forest in Latvia, designed to foster mindfulness and self-care. It serves as a retreat where individuals can reconnect with nature while focusing on their inner well-being. The overall design aims to create a peaceful atmosphere, encouraging users to engage with both their thoughts and the natural world around them.

Architecture Concept
Inspired by the traditional buildings of Latvia, the cabin uses timber logs and timber frames, reflecting the local architectural heritage. The thatch roof adds to the visual connection with the environment and promotes energy efficiency. The design focuses on creating spaces that support tranquility, highlighting the relationship between indoor comfort and outdoor beauty.

Design Features
A prominent aspect of the cabin is its central cove, serving a dual function as a meditation space and a greenhouse. Large glass panes provide clear views of the surrounding forest while allowing plenty of natural light to illuminate the interior. This arrangement encourages a strong connection to the outdoors, letting users enjoy the sights and sounds of nature.

Sustainability Practices
This design incorporates several sustainable elements. An earthen fireplace, paired with a berm, is effective in retaining heat during colder weather, ensuring a warm and inviting environment. A rainwater collection system helps conserve resources, minimizing the ecological footprint. The innovative tree pit toilet enriches the soil, fostering new plant life while supporting waste management practices.

Mindfulness Integration
Everyday activities, such as gathering firewood and caring for vegetable plants, are central to life in the cabin. These tasks promote mindfulness, encouraging users to engage fully with their surroundings. A walking meditation trail circles the cabin, inviting quiet reflection while allowing people to appreciate the different sensations found in the forest.

Attention to detail is evident in features like the hand-sculpted cob-style earth platforms, which provide comfortable spaces for rest and meditation. These design elements enhance the overall experience, creating a setting that supports both tranquility and connection to nature.

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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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