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Elevated Living Above Nature With Water Recycling and Open Skylights

Authors:
Paul Schlachter, Matej Dlabal, Christelle Coetzee
Elevated Living Above Nature With Water Recycling and Open Skylights

Project in-detail

With a focus on adaptability and sustainability, the lodge incorporates water recycling systems and adjustable skylights while providing elevated living spaces that connect guests to the surrounding environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Eco-lodge structures can be easily relocated within the protected area.
02
Large skylights in luxury huts enhance natural lighting and comfort.
03
A water recycling unit minimizes environmental impact during operations.
04
Elevated beds above water closets optimize space and privacy.
05
Dining areas are designed with long windows to maximize views of the landscape.

The Blue Pansy Butterfly Lodge is situated in an ecological area designed to enhance eco-tourism while honoring the natural environment. Inspired by the form of the eggs of the local Blue Pansy Butterfly, the lodge features a collection of mobile tent-like structures. The design focuses on sustainability and flexibility, allowing the lodge to be easily relocated across different sites within the protected landscape.

Key Architectural Features

The lodge includes luxury huts, each designed with large skylights that let in ample natural light and facilitate ventilation. These skylights can be adjusted, offering guests control over their comfort according to the weather. This feature enhances the interior experience and strengthens the connection between occupants and the outside.

Sustainability Integration

A vital part of the lodge's design is the water recycling unit, which highlights a commitment to sustainable practices. This system reduces the overall environmental impact and improves the experience for visitors. The incorporation of such systems is increasingly important in modern design, balancing guest comfort with responsibility to the environment.

Structural Design Elements

The structural stability of the lodge is maintained through vertical members that anchor the tent-like forms. These elements provide necessary support and resilience against changing weather conditions. Each hut features pegs at the entryways that secure it firmly in place while allowing for quick reconfiguration. Elevated beds positioned above the water closet and showers help optimize the use of space, while a water tank serves as a functional anchor within the design.

The communal dining area is oriented along a long horizontal window that maximizes views of the Oryx landscape. This design fosters interaction among guests and emphasizes the relationship between the interior and the natural surroundings. The wide views create a sense of openness, helping guests remain connected to the unique scenery around them.

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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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