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Elevated Timber Structures Integrated With a Canopy Walkway and Sunken Garden

Author:
Trent Freeman
Elevated Timber Structures Integrated With a Canopy Walkway and Sunken Garden

Project in-detail

Elevated on stilts, the design incorporates a canopy walkway and a sunken garden, creating accessible spaces for communal YOGA and dining while promoting a direct connection to the surrounding landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated on timber stilts to minimize site disturbance.
02
Includes a canopy walkway for enhanced accessibility.
03
Features a sunken garden for on-site food cultivation.
04
Utilizes double-glazed windows for improved energy efficiency.
05
Incorporates a greywater system for sustainable water management.

The Hidden Forest project is a thoughtful design situated in a natural landscape, focused on promoting wellness through activities like YOGA and communal dining. It emphasizes a strong connection between the buildings and their surroundings. Elevated on stilts, the two slim structures harmonize with the sloping terrain, allowing for minimal disruption of the natural site while offering expansive views.

Design Concept

The design is based on the idea of unity between the mind, body, and nature, which reflects the essence of YOGA. Elevating the buildings creates a visual relationship with the trees in the surrounding forest, enhancing the spatial experience. Important areas designed for YOGA, cooking, dining, and restroom facilities are all accessible to users of varying mobility levels.

Spatial Configuration

The project features a canopy walkway and a sunken garden, creating a connection between the buildings and the environment. The walkway ensures that all areas are reachable for people with different mobility needs. The garden provides spaces for quiet reflection and interaction with nature. Areas for planting support growing food on-site, which promotes sustainability and engages the local community.

Material Considerations

Materials used in Hidden Forest have been chosen to balance aesthetic appeal with practical performance. The structural framing is made from timber, providing warmth and good insulation. A concrete slab bolsters stability and durability. The double-glazed windows help improve thermal performance and reduce heat loss. These material selections are in line with the project’s sustainable goals and complement the overall design.

Sustainability Measures

The design includes essential sustainable features, such as a greywater system and French drains to effectively manage water runoff. Solar panels are included to enhance energy efficiency, promoting self-sufficiency. This focus on ecological responsibility is evident in practical elements that improve the user experience, reinforcing the importance of caring for the environment.

The way the buildings rise above the ground and the numerous openings for natural light create an atmosphere of tranquility inside. The interplay of light and shadow adds to the calming experience, allowing users to feel a deeper connection to 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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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