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Cork-Walled Retreat Elevated Above Nature's Embrace

Author:
Lukas Keller
Cork-Walled Retreat Elevated Above Nature's Embrace

Project in-detail

Elevated on pillars and clad in cork, the retreat integrates seamlessly with its surroundings while providing a tranquil space dedicated to meditation and self-reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated design reduces moisture impact on wooden structure.
02
Cork wall coverings provide acoustic insulation and visual texture.
03
Front terrace includes a meditation zone and herb garden.
04
Minimalist kitchen incorporates rainwater harvesting for sustainability.
05
Rounded edges enhance integration with the natural landscape.

The Meditation Cabin located on the Ozolini Teamakers Farm in Latvia serves as a quiet retreat designed to promote meditation and relaxation within a natural landscape. The overall design focuses on simplicity and practicality, emphasizing a close relationship with the surrounding environment. The cabin aims to provide a space for individuals to step away from daily routines and reflect in peace.

Design Concept
The cabin is designed to create a strong connection with nature, using a form that blends into its surroundings. Its rounded edges contribute to a softer aesthetic and enhance its fit within the landscape. This approach helps cultivate a sense of safety and calm, allowing users to fully engage with the stunning scenery of the Ozolini area.

Spatial Organization
Inside, the cabin is laid out in distinct areas that serve specific purposes. There is a meditation space, kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area, each optimized for functionality. This clear organization allows for comfortable movement throughout the cabin while ensuring a light, open feel. Large windows are strategically placed to invite in natural light and provide views of the outdoor environment, linking the interior to the exterior seamlessly.

Material Choices
The materials chosen for the cabin play an important role in its character and functionality. Wooden planks for the floor offer a warm, welcoming touch to the space. Cork is used for the lower walls, providing both sound insulation and visual interest, while light plasterboard above creates a sense of height. These choices highlight a commitment to environmental awareness, aligning with the overall design philosophy.

Elevational Design
The cabin is raised on pillars, protecting it from moisture and creating a lighter appearance, as if it is gently poised above the ground. This elevation allows for easy access via a short flight of stairs, welcoming visitors to enter the space. A front terrace extends the living area outdoors, featuring a meditation zone and a small raised bed for growing herbs and vegetables, underlining the emphasis on self-sufficiency.

At the back, the kitchen is minimalist but functional, equipped with essential amenities. Water is gathered from a filtered rain barrel, reinforcing the theme of sustainable living. The overall details of the cabin, including large windows and soft interior finishes, create a calming atmosphere that encourages reflection and mindfulness.

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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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