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Floating Cabins with Eco-Rocket Stoves and Rainwater Harvesting for Mindful Retreats

Authors:
Joanna Targowicz, Mateusz Binkowski
Floating Cabins with Eco-Rocket Stoves and Rainwater Harvesting for Mindful Retreats

Project in-detail

Equipped with eco-rocket stoves and a rainwater harvesting system, the floating cabins offer a sustainable retreat designed for meditation and deep connection with nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Floating design allows tranquil interaction with water environments.
02
Eco-rocket stoves provide efficient biomass heating without harmful emissions.
03
Rainwater harvesting system ensures a sustainable water supply.
04
Cabins are accessible by a ritualistic pathway to enhance mindfulness.
05
Watertight base enables gentle swaying to connect occupants with nature.

A series of modular cabins are designed to foster meditation and create a strong connection with nature. Located in varied environments such as forests, lakes, and bogs, these cabins act as peaceful retreats. The design focuses on promoting relaxation and mindfulness, meeting the growing need for balance in today’s fast-paced world.

Design and Functionality

Each cabin includes two decks, allowing for both indoor and outdoor meditation experiences. Occupants can engage directly with their surroundings, whether they choose to sit inside or step outside. The cabins also have a watertight base, providing enough buoyancy to float on water. This feature enhances the relationship between the structures and their natural settings, allowing the cabins to sway gently with the elements.

Sustainability Measures

The cabins operate entirely off-grid, reflecting a commitment to environmental sustainability. Rainwater harvesting systems ensure a constant supply of clean water through natural filters and passive purification methods. For heating, each cabin uses an eco-rocket stove, which efficiently burns biomass with minimal harmful emissions. This approach promotes responsible living while reducing environmental impact.

User Experience and Amenities

Access to the cabins is intended to feel like a special ritual. This transition encourages users to leave behind their daily distractions and prepare for meditation. Amenities such as toilets and showers are placed in separate buildings, allowing for privacy and comfort while still connecting residents to the surrounding nature. The cabins measure 14.6 square meters, and each has dedicated areas for hygiene, maximizing their functionality.

Water Purification System

An important aspect of the design is the water purification system. It uses active carbon filtering, stones, and sand to ensure safe drinking water. This system highlights a proactive approach to water management and occupant health, making the cabins practical as well as peaceful.

The cabins, with their quiet presence and thoughtful design, provide a welcoming space for individuals seeking reflection and renewal in a natural environment.

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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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