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Eroded Masses of Solid Wood and Animal Skins for Meditative Living

Authors:
Antoine Michel, Leanne Bolduc, Francis Lavoie, Philippe Champagne
Eroded Masses of Solid Wood and Animal Skins for Meditative Living

Project in-detail

Eroded masses crafted from solid wood and adorned with animal skins create a meditative environment that seamlessly blends with the natural landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Eroded exterior forms respond dynamically to environmental changes.
02
Negative wall slits create intentional transparency with nature.
03
Use of animal skins as spatial dividers adds organic texture.
04
Design promotes a meditative and introspective living experience.
05
Solid wood material enhances warmth and tactile connection.

The design of the primitive cabins presents a thoughtful response to the surrounding landscape, merging form and function in a meaningful way. Located in a natural setting, these structures reflect themes of permanence and continuity, offering spaces that promote meditation and reflection. The cabins are conceived as eroded masses, appearing as if they have always existed in harmony with their environment. They amplify the natural surroundings, creating a sense of tranquility and connection.

Spatial Organization

Inside, the layout of the cabins is carefully arranged to define various habitable areas, striking a balance between communal and private spaces. This design facilitates different activities while creating a unified atmosphere. Portions of the walls, featuring negative slits, provide transparency that frames views of the outside. This design choice encourages interaction between the interior and exterior, allowing occupants to engage with nature directly.

Material Engagement

The skin of the cabins plays a crucial role in their overall design. It is shaped by environmental factors like rainwater and wind, and reacts to the changing seasons. This living exterior serves as a protective layer while fostering a dynamic relationship with the surrounding elements.

Tactile Experience

Within the cabins, the use of solid wood contributes to a warm and inviting atmosphere, enhancing the experience for those inside. Animal skins serve as dividers, introducing an organic quality to the space. This choice of materials links the design to early human habitation and provides a tactile experience that resonates with the origins of the primitive cabin.

Design Detail

Glass panels are incorporated throughout the design as mirrors, reflecting the environment and reinforcing the aspect of time. This thoughtful integration of materials not only enhances visibility but also signals a continuous relationship with the changing landscape, grounding the cabins firmly in their natural context.

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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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