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Floating Wellness Retreat with Steel Beams and Green Walls

Author:
Brian andrés Ordoñez espinoza
Floating Wellness Retreat with Steel Beams and Green Walls

Project in-detail

Set against the dramatic backdrop of Ecuador’s highlands, the hospice features an embedded structure with expansive views framed by large windows, utilizing steel beams and a green wall to create a peaceful sanctuary for reflection and care.
5 key facts about this project
01
Embedded structure enhances integration with the natural terrain.
02
Large windows frame views of the cloud layer in the valley.
03
Steel beams provide structural support while enhancing visual impact.
04
Green wall in the corridor introduces biophilic design elements.
05
Zoning includes dedicated areas for administration, community, and spirituality.

The Hospice Sky House is located at a height of 2020 meters in Ducur, Cañar, Ecuador. Set against a background of mountainous terrain, it operates as a space for care and contemplation. The design aims to blend naturally with its surroundings, creating a calming environment for those who need support and reflection.

Spatial Organization and Zoning

Inside the Hospice Sky House, different areas serve specific functions, making the layout clear and practical. The administration zone consists of a lobby and nursing facilities, as well as bathrooms with dressing rooms. Nearby is the social area, which includes a library, meeting room, and kitchen-dining space. The thoughtful arrangement allows for easy movement and ensures each section fulfills its role effectively.

Architectural Form and Experience

The building's form features soft, flowing lines that contribute to its overall appearance and the experience of being inside. One notable element is the section that extends from the natural contours of the land, offering wide windows that frame views of the surrounding landscape. This connection to the outdoors enriches the experience of users and encourages contemplation, while the cloud layer in the valley enhances the sense of being in a unique environment.

Material and Structural Integrity

Materials play a significant role in the design. The use of variable section steel beams and anchor plates provides strength to the structure and shapes its visual character. A concrete foundation ensures stability, helping the building withstand weather conditions typical of the region. The choice of materials reflects a focus on durability while allowing the structure to integrate with its natural setting.

Design Details

A key component of the Hospice Sky House is the corridor that links the various areas, designed to be illuminated from above for better visibility. Along this corridor, a green wall introduces natural elements into the interior, supporting a design approach that values nature. These details contribute to an atmosphere conducive to healing and reflection, enhancing the hospice's role as a place of comfort amid the high-altitude 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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