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Curved Stone Cabin With Integrated Rainwater Harvesting

Author:
Tomas Villa
Curved Stone Cabin With Integrated Rainwater Harvesting

Project in-detail

A curved stone structure captures ambient sounds and integrates rainwater harvesting, creating a tranquil retreat designed for contemplation and connection with nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Curved shell design enhances acoustic experience by amplifying natural sounds.
02
Interior garden provides a tranquil setting for reflection and introspection.
03
Construction employs locally sourced stone, wood, and concrete for sustainability.
04
Rainwater harvesting system incorporates natural filtration through the garden.
05
Positioned on a stone terrace to maximize valley views and visual privacy.

The design of the cabin offers a thoughtful connection to its natural surroundings, situated on a stone terrace that gives views of the valley. It serves as a peaceful retreat, created to promote contemplation and personal reflection. The cabin is meant to feel like it naturally grows from the earth, blending harmoniously with its environment and evoking a sense of tranquility.

Form and Acoustic Design

The cabin features a curved shape that symbolizes harmony and infinity. This design choice not only adds to its visual appeal but also impacts the internal sound environment. The outer shell of the cabin captures and redirects sounds—like the rustling leaves and the songs of birds—bringing the outside world directly into the living space. This creates a heightened awareness of nature for the occupants.

Spatial Orientation

The cabin’s layout draws attention to two key areas: the wide external landscape and a carefully designed interior garden. This arrangement invites moments of self-reflection, allowing occupants to explore both their surroundings and their inner thoughts. The design maintains a clear visual connection to the valley while fostering a sense of intimacy through the presence of the garden.

Sustainability and Resource Management

The cabin uses traditional building methods and local materials to reduce its environmental impact. Stone, wood, and concrete form the primary construction elements, decreasing the carbon footprint associated with transport and manufacturing. Additionally, a rainwater collection system filters and stores water for use within the cabin, ensuring a sustainable water supply while allowing gray water to return to the landscape.

Climate Control and Comfort

The design incorporates passive strategies that enhance comfort within the cabin. Its rounded shape promotes airflow, allowing for effective ventilation that helps regulate indoor temperatures. The thermal mass of the stone walls contributes to energy efficiency, reducing heat loss during colder months.

The cabin features a low wall that encircles the interior garden, blending with its overall design. This wall invites nature inside while creating a gentle boundary, enhancing the sensation of a cozy space without closing it off from the outside.

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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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