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Flood-Resilient Cabin Featuring Reflective Glass and Timber Elements for Mindful Retreat

Authors:
Hao-tin Lin, Jeremy Tan
Flood-Resilient Cabin Featuring Reflective Glass and Timber Elements for Mindful Retreat

Project in-detail

Raised for flood resilience, the cabin incorporates reflective glass and timber elements to create a mindful retreat that fosters deep connection with nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated structure designed to prevent flood damage.
02
Incorporates a smoke-free Irori Japanese sunken hearth for heating.
03
Features a reflective glass mirror to enhance self-reflection.
04
Timber posts and rafters create slits for diffused daylight.
05
Modular furniture allows for adaptable meditation spaces.

SPACED OUT is a proposed cabin design located in the natural landscape of New Zealand. The project aims to create a space that encourages personal reflection and connects visitors to their environment. The design emphasizes the use of light and shadow to enhance the experience of being present in the moment.

Spatial Features

The cabin includes three main elements: the time tunnel, self-reflection, and connection. The time tunnel acts as an entrance, inviting visitors into a unique play of sunlight and shadow. This aspect highlights the value of each moment, preparing occupants for an attentive and mindful experience as they enter the cabin.

Self-Reflection Space

At the heart of the cabin is the self-reflection area, which features a reflective glass mirror. This mirror encourages visitors to engage with their thoughts and feelings. The design here promotes a calming environment, allowing individuals to explore their inner thoughts and emotions without distraction.

Connection to Nature

The connection space allows occupants to appreciate the surrounding landscape through strategically placed windows. This design choice reduces distractions while enhancing the experience of the outdoors. Natural light floods the interior, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Modular furniture provides flexibility, accommodating various activities and meditation practices for individuals.

Environmental Considerations

Attention to the environment is evident in several design choices. The cabin is raised to prevent potential flooding, indicating a thoughtful approach to site conditions. A smoke-free Irori Japanese sunken hearth serves as a heating source, ensuring good air quality while adding a layer of cultural significance. Wooden posts and rafters create slits in the roof, allowing filtered light to illuminate the space, contributing to a tranquil ambiance throughout the cabin.

SPACED OUT exemplifies a design that respects its natural surroundings while offering a place for self-exploration and contemplation. The combination of practical features and thoughtful design helps create a space where individuals can connect with both themselves and nature.

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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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