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Elevating Nature with Steel and Stone in a Healing Retreat

Authors:
Marta Chicón pérez, Andrea Numbela enríquez
Elevating Nature with Steel and Stone in a Healing Retreat

Project in-detail

Constructed with a lightweight steel frame and supported by local stone boulders, the retreat integrates seamlessly into the Vale del Moses landscape, providing a tranquil space for yoga and meditation that fosters healing and connection to nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
The design incorporates large glass windows for expansive views of the Vale del Moses.
02
An elevated structure on stilts minimizes environmental impact and maintains natural topography.
03
The garden functions as a living microsystem, promoting local biodiversity and carbon capture.
04
Local stone boulders provide structural support, connecting the building to its landscape.
05
A focus on sustainability is integrated through solar energy systems and water management features.

YR 2.0 is set in the Vale del Moses, designed to function as a Yoga Retreat and recreational area. The focus is on preserving the environment while integrating the building into the natural landscape. This design aims to create a space that promotes healing and contemplation, encouraging a strong connection between people and nature.

Spatial Organization

The layout includes designated areas for yoga and classes, along with necessary facilities such as kitchens and bathrooms. The arrangement of these spaces enhances the interaction between indoor and outdoor environments. Large glass windows allow for expansive views of the surrounding landscape, flooding the interior with natural light and inviting nature inside.

Structural Design

The building is raised on stilts, reducing its impact on the existing land. Local stone boulders support a lightweight steel frame composed of stilts, beams, and columns. This structural choice is efficient and minimizes disruptions to the natural surroundings. The elevated design respects the topography of the site and complements the overall aesthetics of the retreat.

Sustainability Strategies

Sustainability is a key principle in the design. The garden is created as a living microsystem, featuring native plants that improve biodiversity and soil health. This vegetation plays a role in carbon sequestration. The building includes systems for water treatment and energy production, including a roof design that captures solar energy. These elements work together to enhance the ecological resilience of the site.

Design Details

Carefully chosen design features elevate the sensory experience within the retreat. Water flows gently through the space, while intentionally placed openings facilitate cross ventilation. These design aspects contribute to a calming atmosphere suitable for relaxation and meditation. Each detail reinforces a commitment to blending human experiences with the natural environment, offering a unique encounter that deepens the connection to 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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