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Colored Glass Plates Enhancing Natural Light for Meditation Retreat

Author:
Youngji Lee
Colored Glass Plates Enhancing Natural Light for Meditation Retreat

Project in-detail

Suspended colored glass plates filter light into a tranquil space designed for meditation, creating an immersive environment that integrates seamlessly with its natural surroundings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Suspended colored glass plates serve as both functional elements and art, enhancing light dynamics.
02
The design prioritizes linearity, forging a direct connection between interior spaces and the surrounding landscape.
03
Natural light filters through openings, creating an ever-changing atmosphere that supports meditation.
04
The spatial layout encourages fluid movement, allowing users to navigate in response to their contemplative needs.
05
Integration of petal essence processing adds a unique sensory experience connected to the meditative practice.

The design presents a space intended for meditation that exists in harmony with its natural surroundings. Located in a serene landscape, the building serves as a retreat, allowing individuals to connect with nature while reflecting and finding peace. The concept centers on fostering humility in relation to the environment, shifting focus away from traditional architectural boundaries to create an experience that merges inside with outside.

Spatial Configuration

With its focus on openness, the arrangement prioritizes linear elements over enclosed forms. This approach creates a continuous connection with the landscape, inviting users to be part of the environment rather than separate from it. The design encourages exploration and interaction, allowing individuals to navigate the space in ways that resonate with their personal experiences.



Light and Atmosphere

Natural light is a significant aspect of the design, with openings placed throughout to allow sunlight to fill the interior. These carefully considered placements enhance the atmosphere, turning the space into a soothing sanctuary. As the day progresses and light shifts, the changing colors cast different shadows, enriching the meditative experience and creating a sense of calm.



Materiality and Details

Colored glass plates hang from the ceiling, providing a unique and functional element to the design. These plates can hold petal essence while also serving as a medium for light to pass through. The result is a play of colors and patterns, transforming the interior into a vibrant yet peaceful space. As light filters through, it enhances the interaction between the structure and its natural backdrop.



Movement and Interaction

The movement of natural elements like trees and grasses is mirrored in the architecture, contributing to a sense of life within the space. Suspended glass plates gently sway, casting ever-changing shadows that dance around the room. This adaptability forges a deeper connection between the occupants and their surroundings, allowing each person to engage uniquely with the environment as they move within the meditation space.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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