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Elevated Yoga Space with Stone Base and Green Roof Integration

Authors:
João Reis, José Cunha
Elevated Yoga Space with Stone Base and Green Roof Integration

Project in-detail

The elevated yoga room, supported by a robust stone base and enhanced by green roof integration, offers a tranquil retreat that connects users to the surrounding mountainous landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated yoga room designed for panoramic mountain views.
02
Stone base used for structural integrity and local resonance.
03
Straw clay employed for increased insulation and environmental impact.
04
Green roofs integrated to manage rainwater and promote sustainability.
05
Feng Shui principles guiding spatial arrangement for enhanced energy flow.

The House on a Cliff is located in Vale de Moses, Oleiros, Portugal, and is designed as a Yoga Retreat in a beautiful mountainous area shaped by the Zêzere River. The aim is to create a strong connection between the building and the natural landscape, focusing on balance and sustainability throughout the design.

Architectural Concept

The design responds to the unique features of the site, minimizing the need for excavation while following the elongated shape of the terrain. The layout consists of three main spaces: the reception area, the yoga room, and the bathhouses. This arrangement allows for easy movement between areas while fostering a tranquil atmosphere ideal for relaxation and practice.

Space Utilization

The yoga room is positioned at a higher elevation, providing better views of the scenery and enhancing the feeling of openness. The design prioritizes privacy while also encouraging light and air circulation. This approach is guided by Feng Shui principles to ensure a harmonious flow of energy throughout the spaces.

Materials and Sustainability

Sustainability is key in this retreat, and the design incorporates local materials that connect the building to its environment. Stone is used as a strong structural element, reflecting traditional local architecture. Straw clay serves as insulation, contributing to energy efficiency. Earth plaster is applied inside, merging function with simple beauty, while green roofs help manage temperature and capture rainwater.

Design Detailing

Attention to user experience is evident in the carefully planned outdoor areas, which invite engagement with the surrounding nature. Simple finishes, including natural wood and textured surfaces, create a calm setting. The arrangement of spaces encourages people to spend time outside, making it easy to enjoy the peaceful views and the essence of well-being.

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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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