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Elevated Cabin with Steel Columns and Panoramic Views for Contemplation

Authors:
Nathan Heldt, Joshua Glass
Elevated Cabin with Steel Columns and Panoramic Views for Contemplation

Project in-detail

Elevated on slender steel columns, the cabin offers expansive valley views while providing a dedicated space for meditation and reflection through its minimalist design and natural light integration.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated structure minimizes land disturbance.
02
Panoramic windows connect users with the landscape.
03
Handwashing station designed as a ritualistic element.
04
Infrared heating integrated within the floor for efficiency.
05
Prefabricated components streamline construction and transport.

The meditation cabin project is a thoughtful design that fits well within its natural surroundings. It serves as a space for quiet reflection and contemplation, allowing individuals to step away from the busyness of everyday life. Its adaptable nature enables the cabin to be placed in various locations on the property, making it possible for multiple cabins to coexist. The overall design aims to create a peaceful retreat, elevating users above the ground to enhance their sense of tranquility.

Design Concept

The cabin is elevated on slender steel columns, which support the structure without fully resting on the ground. This approach gives the cabin a light appearance while keeping the natural landscape below untouched. The long, narrow form of the building optimizes views of the valley, allowing for an integration of the interior and exterior spaces. The sloped roof design maximizes natural light, while carefully arranged lighting ensures a soft, calming atmosphere for meditation.

Interior Features

Inside the cabin, careful attention has been paid to essential elements that enhance the experience for users. A handwashing station at the entrance allows individuals to wash their hands as a cleansing ritual, which prepares them for meditation. The conical basin captures attention, with a flat cabinet hidden in the back to store items used during meditation. The meditation mat takes center stage, reminding visitors of the cabin's primary purpose as a dedicated space for reflection.

Sustainability Considerations

Sustainability plays a significant role in the design process. The use of prefabricated wood beams and columns makes construction efficient, reducing the impact on the site. With glass walls on three sides, the cabin is filled with natural light, connecting people to the outdoors. Rainwater is collected and treated for use, ensuring a minimal ecological footprint while providing a practical resource for handwashing and other needs.

Final Design Detail

A notable feature is the heating system integrated into the cabin's design. Infrared heating mats installed in the floor provide warmth and comfort without the need for complex plumbing. This system allows for efficient temperature control and emphasizes the overall simplicity of the cabin’s interior. Users can focus on their meditation practices in a warm, inviting space, designed to support both comfort and deep reflection.

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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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