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Elevated Bamboo Hideout Emphasizing Natural Ventilation and Sensory Experiences

Authors:
Chee yuen Choy, Ming tse Wang
Elevated Bamboo Hideout Emphasizing Natural Ventilation and Sensory Experiences

Project in-detail

An elevated structure of bamboo promotes natural ventilation and sensory engagement, offering a refreshing retreat that blends seamlessly with its tropical surroundings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated structure minimizes ecological impact while allowing for natural stormwater drainage.
02
Bamboo construction promotes sustainability and cultural relevance in the region.
03
Open concept design facilitates continuous airflow and enhances user comfort.
04
Sensory experiences are prioritized with elements like tropical scents and natural textures.
05
Large openings frame views of the surrounding landscape, integrating users with nature.

The design presents a retreat that encourages a renewed connection with nature in a world where digital technology often distances individuals from their surroundings. Situated in a landscape that offers rich natural beauty, the structure is intended to dissolve the boundaries between inside and outside. Its primary function is to serve as a space for relaxation and reflection, promoting an engagement with the elements that make up the environment.

Connection with Nature

The open design allows light, air, and natural landscapes to flow freely throughout the structure. This integration creates an immersive experience for those within the space. By blurring the lines between the indoors and outdoors, the retreat invites occupants to fully engage with their natural surroundings. This aspect of the design reinforces a sense of place that can often be lost in urban areas.

Elevated Structure

The hut is elevated to reduce the impact on the existing landscape and vegetation. This height prevents disruption to the local ecology and promotes water drainage, allowing rainwater to flow naturally beneath the building. The elevation also grants occupants an enhanced view of the surroundings, bringing them closer to the beauty of the landscape. This thoughtful placement respects the topography and integrates the structure with the environment.

Natural Ventilation

Ventilation plays a crucial role in the overall design. The raised platform encourages airflow, allowing warm air to escape while cooler breezes can flow in from below. By avoiding the use of mechanical air conditioning, the design promotes energy efficiency. This approach encourages users to experience the natural climate and fosters a deeper awareness of the outdoor conditions.

Sensory Engagement

The design focuses on engaging the senses. Tactile materials, such as bamboo and stone, provide texture and depth. Visitors can experience the scents of tropical fruits and feel the warmth of sunlight streaming through openings in the structure. These sensory details enrich the experience of being in the space and emphasize the connection to the natural world.

Large openings frame views of the landscape, allowing both visual and aural connections to the environment. This design choice serves as a reminder of the outdoor world, reinforcing the idea that nature is an ever-present part of the experience within the retreat.

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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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