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Floating Structures with Brick and Glass Integrating Nature for Mindful Retreats

Author:
Jing Xu
Floating Structures with Brick and Glass Integrating Nature for Mindful Retreats

Project in-detail

A harmonious blend of floating brick surfaces and expansive glass walls creates a serene retreat that encourages mindfulness and deep connection with nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes floating brick surfaces that enhance the connection with the surrounding landscape.
02
Incorporates expansive glass walls to maximize natural light and views.
03
Features interconnected spaces that promote seamless indoor and outdoor experiences.
04
Designed with an emphasis on mindfulness, encouraging deep reflection in tranquil settings.
05
Integrates existing historical structures, creating a dialogue between past and present.
The project "The Floating Camp" represents a thoughtful exploration of architecture designed to facilitate meditation and connection with nature. This innovative architectural endeavor serves as a retreat, integrating spaces for public interaction, personal reflection, and communal dining, all while promoting a sense of tranquility and mindfulness. The layout features a series of five interconnected surfaces that appear to float above the ground, enhancing the user's experience and blurring the lines between built form and natural landscape.

The primary function of this architecture is to provide a serene environment conducive to meditation and reflection, allowing individuals to retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Each component of the project plays a crucial role in fulfilling this mission. The meditation space is designed to foster introspection, while the public house allows for social engagement. Private accommodations ensure that visitors have a safe haven to recharge, and the restaurant encourages communal experiences centered around nourishment.

One of the noteworthy aspects of "The Floating Camp" is its strategic use of materials. The architecture utilizes brick, glass, wood, and metal, creating a balanced interplay between durability and transparency. Brick is employed for its thermal properties and tactile quality, establishing a connection to the surrounding environment. Extensive glass surfaces invite natural light and provide unobstructed views of the landscape, enhancing the overall sense of openness and airiness. Wood flooring adds warmth to the interior spaces, helping to foster a welcoming atmosphere, while metal components lend structural integrity and modernity.

The design embraces a unique approach to spatial organization, with the five floating surfaces allowing for distinct yet interconnected zones. This layout encourages exploration and eases the transition between different programming areas. By elevating these surfaces, the design cultivates a buoyant quality that resonates with the core theme of detachment from the everyday world, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the retreat's calming environment.

A key element of the project is its integration with the existing stone house, embodying a sense of history while juxtaposing it with contemporary architectural practices. This layered design promotes dialogue between old and new, offering visitors a richer narrative as they navigate the space. The careful placement of structures capitalizes on the site’s natural features, ensuring that the architecture enhances rather than overwhelms the environment.

Sustainability plays an implicit role in the project’s ethos. The use of local materials, combined with design strategies that promote natural ventilation and daylighting, reflects an awareness of ecological principles. This focus encourages users to engage with the environment, fostering a sense of responsibility and connection to the natural world.

The architectural design of "The Floating Camp" stands as a sophisticated illustration of how architectural ideas can serve not only functionality but also promote well-being and mindfulness. The careful consideration of materials, spatial relationships, and environmental integration showcases a commitment to creating spaces that support reflection and serenity. Readers interested in the project's architectural plans, sections, and details are encouraged to explore the presentation for a deeper understanding of the architecture and design concepts at play.
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100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

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
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
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