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Elevated Veranda with Hay-Thatched Roof for Personal Meditation Retreat

Authors:
Hulya imge Yilmaz, Hande Yildiz, Irem Tikiz
Elevated Veranda with Hay-Thatched Roof for Personal Meditation Retreat

Project in-detail

The integration of a hay-thatched roof and an elevated veranda creates a unique personal retreat designed for meditation, ensuring a harmonious connection with the surrounding landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Hay-thatched roof enhances ecological integration and provides nesting opportunities for local wildlife.
02
Elevated veranda offers unobstructed views while separating utility functions from the main retreat area.
03
Meditation axis features a central fire pit, creating a focal point for reflection and tranquility.
04
Double-skin façade allows for adjustable privacy while maintaining visual connection with the surroundings.
05
Natural ventilation and solar tubes ensure optimal light and air quality throughout the cabin.

The project is situated in Latvia, a region characterized by its abundant greenery. It functions as a personal retreat, designed for meditation and quiet reflection. The overall concept focuses on blending with the surrounding nature, providing a peaceful space where users can disconnect and engage with their thoughts.

Meditation Axis

At the heart of the design is a meditation axis that organizes the layout of the cabin. This axis features a fire pit, serving as a central point for meditation. A well-placed top window highlights this focal point, while horizontal windows on three sides welcome natural light and create views of the outdoors. This arrangement fosters a strong connection between the interior and the natural world outside.

Structural Features

The cabin is built with a double-skin façade, which offers flexibility in terms of privacy. Wooden materials are chosen for their lightness and durability, consistent with the local environment. This choice helps the structure remain in harmony with its surroundings and reduces its impact on nature.

Functional Layout

Inside, the cabin includes clearly defined areas for sleeping, dining, and food preparation. These spaces are thoughtfully arranged to make the best use of the interior while supporting the peaceful purpose of the retreat. Each area is designed to be functional without being overwhelming, creating a comfortable and tranquil atmosphere.

Natural Light and Ventilation

Natural light and air flow are important aspects of the design. The space uses solar tubes to provide light during the night, ensuring the interior remains inviting. This attention to lighting contributes to a calm environment, making it suitable for quiet reflection and meditation.

The roof is crafted to support a natural thatching of hay, mimicking the shapes found in the surrounding landscape. This design not only contributes to the aesthetic but also provides opportunities for local birds to nest, further connecting the retreat with its ecological setting.

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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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