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Elevated Meditation Cabin With Rough Walls and Communal Fireplace

Authors:
Francesco Cerulli, Luca Gambini
Elevated Meditation Cabin With Rough Walls and Communal Fireplace

Project in-detail

An elevated meditation space with rough walls and a central fireplace provides a quiet retreat for contemplation amidst a sacred forest, merging traditional Latvian and Japanese design elements.
5 key facts about this project
01
An elevated meditation area enhances focus and awareness.
02
Central fireplace serves as the core gathering point.
03
Incorporates principles of *Wabi* and *Sabi* aesthetics.
04
Rough walls create an authentic and minimal aesthetic.
05
Designed to connect with the historical significance of the site.

The meditation cabin is situated within a quiet forest, designed to support mindfulness and self-reflection. The concept draws inspiration from traditional Japanese tea houses and ancient Latvian huts, creating a space that encourages a deep connection to nature. At the center of the cabin lies a communal fireplace, which serves as the focal point. This feature invites users to gather and engage with one another in a relaxed environment.

Design Structure

The cabin has a clear layout centered around the fireplace. Four radial areas are defined for specific activities: meditation, living, storage, and social interaction. This arrangement allows for both communal gatherings and solitary moments. The thoughtful distribution of space enhances the cabin’s overall function and user experience.

Materiality and Aesthetics

Though specific materials are not detailed, the cabin features rough walls that contribute to its authentic feel. The interior includes simple yet meaningful furniture that reflects the ideas of *Sabi* and *Wabi*. These concepts celebrate the beauty of imperfection and the importance of minimalism. This approach creates a calming atmosphere that encourages stillness and inner peace.

Interaction with the Environment

The meditation space is elevated above the forest floor to enhance focus and self-awareness. Practical features, such as hidden storage and water supply, maintain a clean aesthetic while serving functional needs. The design embraces the surrounding environment, fostering an ongoing relationship between the cabin and nature.

Cultural Context

The choice of a forest location holds historical significance, being a site of spiritual rituals for ancient Latvian communities. This cultural background adds depth to the cabin, reinforcing its role as a space for contemplation and connection to heritage.

The cabin’s design allows light to filter through the space, creating a warm and peaceful ambiance. This soft illumination adds to the sense of calm, amplifying the focus on mindfulness that the cabin seeks to inspire.

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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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