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Elevated Wooden Cabins Surrounded by Climbing Ivy for Tranquil Retreat

Authors:
Ben Gottkehaskamp, Siemen Visser, Jan yoshio Kawasaki, Henrik Borchers
Elevated Wooden Cabins Surrounded by Climbing Ivy for Tranquil Retreat

Project in-detail

Elevated wooden cabins adorned with climbing ivy offer a serene retreat, integrating flexible spaces that support relaxation and meditation in a stunning mountainous landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated design reduces landscape disruption.
02
Cabins incorporate climbing plants for environmental integration.
03
Multifunctional furniture allows flexible use of living spaces.
04
Patios align with slope angles to enhance outdoor engagement.
05
Compact layout accommodates up to two occupants effectively.

The Vales de Moses project presents a collection of sleeping pods set in the mountainous region of Portugal. Designed for relaxation and meditation, these cabins are positioned on steep rock slopes, allowing them to align with the natural landscape. This arrangement provides privacy for occupants while taking advantage of the views looking down the incline. The overall design concept is rooted in harmonizing with the environment and ensuring a tranquil experience for users.

Spatial Organization

Each cabin is designed to host up to two people, with a compact layout that encourages multifunctional use of spaces. This design choice allows individuals to customize their environment according to their needs, enhancing comfort and usability. The layout begins with communal spaces at the front, featuring a room and kitchen, which flow into more private areas such as the bath and bedroom. This progression effectively balances social interaction with personal retreat.

Patio Integration

A notable aspect of the sleeping pods is the patio that extends in front of each unit. This area serves as both an entrance and a space for relaxation, allowing guests to connect with the landscape. Positioned according to the slope's angle, the patio naturally invites occupants to enjoy the surroundings. This feature contributes to the overall goal of encouraging tranquility and peace.

Material Consideration

The design incorporates wooden construction to blend with the rugged terrain. Using regional materials supports the connection to the environment while maintaining sustainability. Climbing plants, such as ivy, grow on the facades, softening the appearance and merging the structures with the natural setting. This use of materials reinforces the commitment to ecological sensitivity.

Spatial Dynamics

The careful spacing of the cabins maintains adequate distance between the structures, promoting personal solitude while fostering a sense of community. The sleeping pods are elevated, which reduces disruption to the land below. This elevation provides a better perspective of the scenery and highlights the relationship between the buildings and their natural surroundings.

The integration of natural materials and thoughtful design choices creates an inviting atmosphere, making the sleeping pods an extension of the landscape.

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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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