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Detachable Cabin Crafted With Cross-Laminated Timber Panels and Low-Emissivity Glass Emphasizing Mindfulness Retreat

Authors:
Fan Zhaoxiang, Liu Mengxuan, Miao Shi
Detachable Cabin Crafted With Cross-Laminated Timber Panels and Low-Emissivity Glass Emphasizing Mindfulness Retreat

Project in-detail

Constructed using cross-laminated timber panels and designed for adaptability, this meditation cabin offers a tranquil retreat experience while harmoniously blending with the surrounding Latvian landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
The cabin's design incorporates a detachable structure, allowing for easy relocation without heavy machinery.
02
Crafted using cross-laminated timber panels for enhanced strength and sustainability.
03
Features a sloped roof that effectively manages snow accumulation during winter months.
04
Made with charred wooden shingles to improve durability and weather resistance.
05
The large, low-emissivity windows provide natural light while minimizing energy loss.
The Polyhedron is a distinct architectural project designed as a wooden meditation cabin located near Lake Bezdibene in Latvia. This project focuses on creating a serene space that facilitates meditation, introspection, and a deeper connection with nature. The design reflects a thoughtful interpretation of traditional cabin structures while incorporating modern architectural approaches that align with ecological sensibility and user experience.

Representing a synthesis of nature and architecture, The Polyhedron exemplifies a space where users can withdraw from the busyness of everyday life and engage in mindfulness practices. The architectural design serves a multifaceted role: it provides shelter, supports meditation activities, and encourages social interactions among users. The cabin's layout optimally divides private and communal spaces, ensuring that visitors can seek solitude in dedicated areas while still being able to come together for group meditation sessions.

One of the most notable features of The Polyhedron is its geometric form, which emerges from a series of triangular shapes that enhance its structural integrity. This design choice is not only visually appealing but also offers practical advantages by contributing to the cabin's stability while minimizing material usage. The varying angles of the structure create an engaging dialogue with the surrounding landscape, allowing natural light to enter from multiple directions while framing picturesque views of the forest and lake.

The choice of materials is integral to The Polyhedron's character. The predominant use of wood for the cabin's frames and panels emphasizes sustainability and resonates with the local environment. Wood offers thermal insulation and a sense of warmth, inviting guests to experience the interior as an extension of the natural world outside. Additionally, low-emissivity glass has been selected for the expansive windows, promoting energy efficiency and maintaining a comfortable atmosphere while flooding the interior with natural light.

The cabin design includes a sloped roof that allows for efficient snow management during the winter months, showcasing a direct response to the local climate. This functional aspect highlights the project’s practical design philosophy, ensuring that it can withstand environmental challenges while remaining visually captivating. The thoughtful integration of both indoor and outdoor spaces further elevates the user experience, as large glass surfaces create seamless transitions, allowing occupants to feel immersed in their natural surroundings.

An innovative aspect of The Polyhedron is its detachable structure, which enables it to be easily assembled or disassembled without the need for significant machinery. This flexibility not only enhances its adaptability to various settings but also resonates with contemporary trends in temporary architecture. The ability to relocate the cabin promotes a mobile lifestyle, facilitating a unique retreat experience that can be pursued in diverse natural contexts.

Exploring The Polyhedron unveils a range of architectural ideas that prioritize user needs and environmental interaction. The careful consideration of spacing and function within the cabin aligns with its overarching mission to support mindfulness and reflection. By blending traditional architectural forms with modern, sustainable materials and techniques, The Polyhedron stands as a noteworthy example of contemporary architecture.

For those interested in delving deeper into the architectural plans, sections, and designs that define The Polyhedron, reviewing the project presentation will provide valuable insights into its unique approaches and thoughtful execution. The architectural dialogue fostered throughout the design journey is integral to understanding how this meditation cabin harmonizes with its natural context and serves its intended purpose effectively.
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100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

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
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
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