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Elevated Arches and Ceramic Shingles in a Sustainable Yoga Retreat

Authors:
Paul Van der voort, Norma aracely Trujillo vicencio, Gabriela Bojalil rébora, Aleksander Cruz Silva
Elevated Arches and Ceramic Shingles in a Sustainable Yoga Retreat

Project in-detail

Laminated wood arches rise within a landscape of filtered wastewater gardens, creating a sustainable yoga retreat that blends architectural elegance with ecological responsibility.
5 key facts about this project
01
Laminated wood arches create an expansive, airy feel in the yoga space.
02
A vertical garden utilizes filtered wastewater for irrigation, promoting sustainability.
03
The building is positioned to maximize views of the surrounding landscape.
04
Cross-ventilation openings enhance airflow and comfort throughout the structure.
05
Sanitary facilities are strategically placed below the yoga room for privacy.

The Valle de Mozes - Yoga House on a Cliff is a thoughtfully designed space located within a landscape with significant elevation changes. Serving as a retreat, it focuses on wellness activities such as yoga and meditation. The overall design concept emphasizes a connection to nature, creating an environment that fosters mindfulness and tranquility while offering views of the surrounding landscape.

Design Concept and Spatial Organization

The design takes advantage of the site’s natural topography to create distinct functional areas. The yoga room sits at an elevation of 7.5 meters, resulting in a feeling of openness and light. Generous arches crafted from laminated wood and reinforced with steel profiles create a sense of height and airiness. This structural choice not only supports the building but also promotes a calming atmosphere, suitable for relaxation and reflection.

Sustainable Features and Water Management

Sustainability is a key focus of the design. One of the standout features is the vertical garden that uses filtered wastewater for irrigation, highlighting a commitment to ecological responsibility. The bathrooms are cleverly positioned below the yoga space. This allows for effective water retention and filtration, further supporting the integration of nature and architecture.

Integration of Indoor and Outdoor Spaces

The building encourages a strong connection between indoor and outdoor areas. Stairs and gardens provide pathways that filter water while also improving access. This flow creates an immersive experience, allowing users to fully engage with their surroundings. The design invites an appreciation of the natural world, adding to the overall sense of peace and calm.

Materials and Aesthetic Considerations

Materials have been chosen to reflect the natural character of the site. The use of ceramic shingles along with solar cells for the ventilated facade demonstrates an emphasis on energy efficiency. This choice not only enhances the building's environmental performance but also contributes to its visual harmony with the landscape, presenting a unified architectural expression.

A notable design detail includes the elegant arches that rise toward the sky, echoing the forms of the cliffside. This aspect emphasizes the building's specific location in the landscape and showcases its careful integration into 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
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