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Coconut Palm Cladding and Timber Huts for Mindful Living

Author:
Alyssa Bullock
Coconut Palm Cladding and Timber Huts for Mindful Living

Project in-detail

Utilizing coconut palm cladding and timber construction, the design creates a series of individual huts that foster mindfulness and community engagement in a hot and humid climate.
5 key facts about this project
01
Coconut palm cladding enhances natural insulation properties.
02
Timber huts are designed for climate responsiveness and ventilation.
03
The layout encourages both individual meditation and community interaction.
04
An underground water collection system efficiently repurposes rainwater.
05
Spatial arrangement blurs the lines between interior and exterior environments.

The design reflects a thoughtful exploration of the connection between yoga principles and the built environment. Located in a hot and humid climate, the structure emphasizes unity between mind and body, promoting a deep relationship with nature. The overall concept prioritizes balance, using asymmetry and spatial variations to create a fluid experience that bridges the interior with the exterior.

Balance and Asymmetry

The design employs spatial tension to dissolve boundaries between inside and outside spaces. Shapes of varying sizes play a key role, enhancing contrasts of light against dark, and vertical against horizontal elements. This interaction enriches the sensory experience of the architecture, offering moments that invite both privacy and openness. The elevation showcases these oppositions, capturing the dynamic relationship between different planes.

Sustainable Practices

Sustainability is a central theme in the design, especially important in regions with challenging climates. Natural ventilation is a focus, allowing air to move through various spaces, creating comfort for users. Roofs are designed to tilt, helping to manage rainfall efficiently by directing water into an underground collection system for reuse. These strategies reflect an understanding and respect for the local environment, while also minimizing the ecological impact of the structure.

Material Selection

Material choices further enhance the building’s connection with its surroundings. Timber frames and coconut palm wood cladding are not only visually appealing, but also connect the structure to the natural world. These materials are selected for their durability and suitability for the climate, reinforcing the building's integration with its environment. The natural textures and colors contribute to a cohesive aesthetic that complements the landscape.

Spatial Arrangement

The layout thoughtfully balances individual and communal spaces. Huts provide areas for personal reflection and meditation, while communal spaces are designed to encourage interaction. This arrangement supports a shared experience without sacrificing the need for solitude. Through careful positioning, the spaces invite users to connect with both nature and each other.

As sunlight pours through carefully placed openings, it creates patterns on the floors and walls, enhancing the relationship between light and space. The interplay of shadow and illumination brings life to the interior, reminding occupants of the rhythm of nature outside.

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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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