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Cocoon-Like Retreat Designed with ETFE Canopy and Rough Timber Elements

Authors:
Moyena ahmed Niazi, Mark Thompson
Cocoon-Like Retreat Designed with ETFE Canopy and Rough Timber Elements

Project in-detail

An ETFE canopy and rough timber elements create a cocoon-like structure that harmonizes with the forest, providing a dedicated retreat space for meditation and reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
ETFE canopy allows natural light while maintaining thermal control.
02
Structure raised above ground enhances views and minimizes site disturbance.
03
Rough timber sourced from local fallen trees supports sustainability efforts.
04
Stone hearth serves as a focal point for warmth and communal gathering.
05
Design promotes direct interaction with surrounding natural elements.

The Core Within the Handmade & Bespoke is located in a tranquil natural setting, designed to create a space that focuses on connection to nature. It aims to provide a retreat for users, promoting relaxation and mindfulness. The design embodies an enclosed structure that encourages reflection while integrating harmoniously with its landscape.

Structure and Layout

The core structure stands at 3.6 meters high, enhanced by a canopy that rises to 2.5 meters. This height allows for unobstructed views of the surrounding area, inviting natural elements into the interior. The building form is soft and fluid, supporting a smooth transition between the inside and outside. This openness fosters interaction with the environment, allowing occupants to experience the outdoors fully.

Materials and Envelope

Key to the design is the use of ETFE, or Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene, for the canopy. This material is lightweight and allows light to pass through while providing shelter. The inflated ETFE walls and floors contribute to the building's overall performance, improving insulation and comfort. These features help maintain a pleasant atmosphere indoors, adapting to the weather conditions outside.

Natural Interaction

The project encourages engagement with nature through local materials and design features that foster connection. A stone hearth serves as a gathering point, creating warmth and a space for conversation. The inclusion of local plants and natural elements enhances the overall experience, allowing users to appreciate the beauty of the environment they are in.

Sustainable Practices

Sustainability is an important principle for the design, evident in the choice of rough timber sourced from fallen trees and the use of copper for practical elements. These decisions reflect a commitment to minimize environmental impact. The layout promotes a strong relationship with the landscape, creating comfortable environments that inspire occupants to engage deeply with nature.

Light filters through the ETFE canopy, creating a warm glow inside as day turns into night, filling the space with a calm, inviting atmosphere.

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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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