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Cork Sleeping Pods Embracing Nature on a Hillside Retreat

Author:
Manlong Wang
Cork Sleeping Pods Embracing Nature on a Hillside Retreat

Project in-detail

Cork-clad sleeping pods designed for mindfulness harmonize with the hillside, offering a tranquil retreat for yoga practice and personal reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cork materials provide both insulation and sustainability to the sleeping pods.
02
The design incorporates large windows for unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape.
03
Each pod features versatile multi-functional spaces for sleeping and yoga practice.
04
The view tower is strategically positioned at the highest point of the site.
05
The rest pavilion encourages social interaction with tiered seating elements.

The concept of Surya Namaskara, or Sun Salutation, serves as the foundation for the design, integrating the movements of yoga into the built environment. Set on a hillside, the design includes five sleeping pods, a view tower, and a rest pavilion. Each element aims to enhance the connection between people and the natural world, promoting mindfulness and relaxation through its thoughtful arrangement.

Sleeping Pods
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The sleeping pods are laid out to fit harmoniously with the landscape. They are not just places to rest; they also serve for washing and practicing yoga. With large windows and skylights, these spaces bring in ample natural light, making the interiors feel open and inviting. This design encourages a sense of calm, allowing occupants to connect with their surroundings.

View Tower
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At the highest point of the site stands the view tower. This structure offers a way to observe the beauty of the area. Visitors can reach the top using a lift or stairs, inviting exploration. The tower's positioning allows for clear sightlines, enhancing the relationship between the architecture and the surrounding landscape.

Rest Pavilion
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The rest pavilion is placed at the entrance, serving as a communal area for visitors. It features steps of different heights that create seating options and encourage people to engage with the outdoors. This layout supports social interaction and highlights the importance of community in a natural setting.

Materials for the project include outdoor anticorrosive wood on the exterior, ensuring durability throughout the seasons. The sleeping pods incorporate cork in their interiors, a material that provides good sound insulation and comfort. Such choices reflect a commitment to sustainable design, offering a simple yet effective approach to blending the built environment with nature.

In this tranquil environment, the architecture fosters a dialogue between individuals and the landscape, allowing users to experience a deeper sense of peace.

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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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