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Concrete Retreats with Natural Greywater Purification

Authors:
Maria Bindiu, Colton Chehowy
Concrete Retreats with Natural Greywater Purification

Project in-detail

Concrete structures incorporate a natural greywater purification system to enhance sustainability while providing intimate sleeping spaces for couples in the tranquil forests of central Portugal.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cápsula features a natural greywater purification system utilizing a reed bed for water management.
02
Each sleeping pod is oriented to offer unique views of the surrounding landscape.
03
Interior walls made of concrete enhance sound insulation and structural strength.
04
The design prioritizes intimacy with nature through accessible outdoor bathing facilities.
05
The layout includes a central pathway that separates public and private spaces effectively.

Cápsula is an architectural proposal located in the forests of central Portugal, within the Vale de Moses Yoga retreat. Designed to accommodate couples, the sleeping pod emphasizes connections with nature, creating a relaxing space that enhances sensory experiences. Each capsule has a unique orientation that allows guests to enjoy different views of the surrounding landscape, encouraging a peaceful relationship with the environment.

Spatial Layout

The layout features a central pathway that divides public and private spaces effectively. This organization allows easy navigation while maintaining a sense of intimacy within each pod. Essential amenities, such as a washroom and outdoor shower, are included in the design, ensuring comfort for guests while minimizing distractions from the natural surroundings. This practical approach highlights the focus on user experience.

Acoustic Considerations

The design pays careful attention to acoustics, aiming to foster a calm atmosphere for relaxation. Each pod is designed to enhance external sounds while providing insulation from disruptive noise. This creates an environment ideal for meditation or contemplation. The use of concrete for the interior walls is significant, as it adds to sound absorption and structural strength, allowing for an immersive encounter with nature.

Sustainable Systems

Cápsula integrates a natural greywater purification system, which highlights its commitment to sustainability. Greywater from washing facilities is directed into a grease trap, where larger solids are separated. It then flows through a baffle filtration system that prepares the water before it reaches a reed bed. Here, plants help purify the water through a natural process, allowing for its reuse and promoting responsible resource management.

Each sleeping pod provides an opportunity for guests to connect intimately with the beauty of the forest. They are designed as personal retreats that invite quiet thought and deep appreciation of nature's surroundings. Each capsule serves as a space to escape and recharge, rooted in harmony with the environment.

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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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