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Elevated Cabins with Recycled Paper Insulation for Mindful Living

Authors:
Jadwiga anna Sobala, Anna Kowal, Katarzyna Kulpa, Martyna Czeluśniak
Elevated Cabins with Recycled Paper Insulation for Mindful Living

Project in-detail

Elevated cabins constructed with wooden frames and recycled paper insulation provide a sustainable retreat for meditation and reflection in natural landscapes.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated design minimizes ecological impact while enhancing views.
02
Modular setup allows flexible arrangements for diverse site characteristics.
03
Integrated dry toilets promote sustainability and reduce water usage.
04
Recycled paper insulation improves energy efficiency and acoustic comfort.
05
Paths to meditation houses foster community interaction within nature.

The "Forest Lights" project is a modular design situated in diverse natural landscapes, including forests and lakes. It aims to provide a living solution that combines essential functions with spaces for meditation and reflection. The overall concept revolves around adaptable cabin modules that cater to both user needs and the surrounding environment.

Modular Design

The layout features a collection of cabins, each designed to be arranged in different configurations based on site characteristics. Each cabin consists of two main parts: a lower section that addresses basic living requirements and an upper section dedicated to meditation and creative activities. This design approach enhances the experience of occupants while connecting them more closely with nature.

Environmental Integration

By elevating the cabins, the design minimizes contact with the ground, thus reducing its impact on the ecosystem. This elevation serves a dual purpose; it decreases environmental disruption and embodies themes of mindfulness and detachment. Such integration aligns the structure with the meditative experiences it aims to foster, allowing inhabitants to feel a part of their surroundings.

Material Considerations

Wooden frames are used for the cabin structures, providing both support and visual appeal. Unique features also include ecological insulation made from recycled paper, enhancing energy efficiency while reducing noise. These material choices indicate a commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, which is an integral part of the project.

Functional Amenities

Each cabin is equipped with necessary facilities, like dry toilets and water storage systems, which promote self-sufficiency. The design includes communal spaces and paths leading to meditation houses, ensuring that occupants can easily transition between private and shared environments.

Elements such as the modular arrangement and elevated design come together to create spaces that encourage a deeper interaction with the surrounding landscape, enhancing the overall experience of tranquility and connection with nature.

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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

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