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Elevated Retreat Featuring Multi-Wall Polycarbonate and Natural Wood Finishes

Authors:
Florin adrian Bucur, Ioana Badoiu, Monica elena Buica, Maria Alexandra Barbalata
Elevated Retreat Featuring Multi-Wall Polycarbonate and Natural Wood Finishes

Project in-detail

Elevated above the forest floor, the cabin utilizes multi-wall polycarbonate for insulation and natural wood finishes to create a meditative retreat designed for reflection and creativity.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated design offers three distinct levels for varied activities.
02
Multi-wall polycarbonate provides enhanced thermal insulation while maintaining transparency.
03
Utilizes a screw pile foundation to minimize environmental impact.
04
Modular facades allow for adaptable orientation based on site conditions.
05
Natural wood finishes promote a strong connection with the surrounding forest.

The project located in the Ozolini retreat area demonstrates a careful blend of architecture and nature. Designed as a multi-layered structure, it provides a space for various functions while fostering a strong connection with the forest environment. Users find a sanctuary here, encouraging moments of reflection alongside engagement with the natural surroundings.

Design Concept

The design emphasizes a vertical layout within the cabin, segmented into three distinct levels intended for different activities. The ground level addresses basic human needs such as eating and bathing, establishing a clear connection to the forest floor. The second level promotes passive relaxation and sleep, creating a comfortable retreat, while the third level serves as a space for meditation and creative work, allowing individuals to enjoy views of the sky.

Materials and Structural Considerations

Sustainability plays a significant role in the selection of materials, which include prefabricated wood framing panels and metal connectors. These elements form the main framework of the cabin, ensuring strength and allowing for quick assembly. The exterior walls are made from multi-wall polycarbonate sheets, providing good thermal insulation through air-proof cavities, balancing energy use with an appealing modern look.

Environmental Integration

The cabin is designed to fit well into its surroundings, characterized by its small environmental footprint. Using a screw pile foundation allows for easy setup with minimal impact on the natural landscape. This feature also enables straightforward removal if necessary, highlighting a commitment to preserving the environment. The modular design further allows for flexible facades that can be adjusted based on location and user needs, improving adaptability to different weather conditions.

Unique Spatial Experiences

A key feature of the design is the layered arrangement of spaces that enhance the user experience. The transition from grounded activities on the lower level to an elevated meditative space offers a journey of engagement with both the cabin and its natural setting. Occupants are encouraged to connect with themselves while surrounded by tall Norway Spruce trees, deepening their bond with the landscape.

The design reaches its peak in the third level, which opens to the sky. Here, moments of contemplation and creativity can flourish, as natural light filters through the canopy, creating a dynamic atmosphere that inspires occupants to immerse themselves in their surroundings.

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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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