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Elevated Structure Emphasizing Natural Wood and Rainwater Harvesting for Mindful Reflection

Authors:
Carolina Dias, Susana Abreu, Brad Wooster
Elevated Structure Emphasizing Natural Wood and Rainwater Harvesting for Mindful Reflection

Project in-detail

With an elevated structure that minimizes environmental impact, the cabin utilizes natural wood and a rainwater harvesting system to create a dedicated space for mindful reflection and meditation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated design minimizes ground contact to protect local fauna.
02
Operable panels allow for flexible interaction with the environment.
03
Natural wood elements enhance warmth and promote a calming atmosphere.
04
Integrated rainwater harvesting supports self-sufficiency.
05
Centrally located kitchen fosters community engagement in a retreat setting.

The silence meditation cabin combines thoughtful design with a focus on meditation practices, creating a peaceful retreat. Located in a natural setting, it serves as a space for introspection and connection to the environment. Drawing inspiration from meditation traditions, including influences from India, Taoism, and Buddhism, the cabin encourages a sense of calm and self-discovery through its architecture.

Architectural Form and Movement

The cabin features a design that guides occupants upward as they enter, symbolizing a journey from the outside world into a devoted space for contemplation. This gradual movement deepens the meditative experience, allowing users to engage with their surroundings on multiple levels. The raised structure limits contact with the ground, helping to protect local plants and wildlife while reinforcing the relationship between the cabin and nature.



Adaptability and User Experience

Flexibility is a key characteristic of the cabin's design, as the upper sections can be opened to allow fresh air and views or closed for moments of solitude. This adaptability gives occupants the choice between retreating into their own space or embracing the outdoors. Centrally located, the kitchen and dining area foster a communal atmosphere while also accommodating individual meditation practices.



Materiality and Aesthetic

The choice of materials is essential in creating a soothing environment. The cabin uses a combination of white surfaces and natural wood, particularly Norway spruce timber, to achieve a sense of brightness and warmth. This careful selection encourages an ongoing connection between interior spaces and the natural world outside, making the experience more engaging.



Sustainability and Functionality

Sustainability is integrated throughout the cabin’s design. Operable panels provide control over airflow and natural light, assisting in passive heating and cooling. This approach helps maintain comfort without relying heavily on energy sources. Additionally, the cabin incorporates a rainwater collection system and treats greywater, allowing for self-sufficiency.

Dry toilets further minimize environmental impact, supporting a commitment to ecological practices. Every design detail, from efficient structure to the warmth of the materials, supports the idea of a space dedicated to meditation, inviting users to connect deeply with themselves and 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
competition now

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