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Foldable Altar and Porous Spaces in a Tranquil Meditation Cabin

Authors:
Alan Abraham, Kirat Kohli, Janvi Paun, Janvi Sojitra
Foldable Altar and Porous Spaces in a Tranquil Meditation Cabin

Project in-detail

A foldable altar positioned to harness natural light defines a tranquil meditation cabin, emphasizing the connection between interior spaces and their natural surroundings through the use of glass and wood materials.
5 key facts about this project
01
Foldable altar designed for optimal sunlight exposure.
02
Modular structure enhances flexibility for various uses.
03
Porous envelope integrates seamlessly with natural surroundings.
04
Focus on biophilic design elements to enhance user experience.
05
Uses glass and wood to strengthen the connection with the environment.

"Ethereal: Poetry of Nature" is a project that integrates buildings with the surrounding landscape. It is designed for meditation and for processing flower essence, aiming to create a peaceful space for reflection. The concept emphasizes the connection between constructed spaces and nature, creating an atmosphere that invites quiet contemplation.

MODULAR DESIGN

The project features a modular design that allows flexibility. By using geometric patterns like repetition, scaling, and rotation, the result is a lightweight structure that can be arranged in different ways. This modularity enhances how people interact with the space, making it suitable for various activities.

NATURAL LIGHT UTILIZATION

Natural light is essential to the design. A foldable altar is placed in a way that captures sunlight from the North, making it ideal for meditation and allowing flowers to dry. This focus on natural light helps create a welcoming environment. The layout provides room for both individual and group meditation, promoting a sense of peace and comfort.

MATERIAL SELECTION

The design uses glass and wood, which work well with the natural surroundings. These materials help create a strong connection with the environment while ensuring the structure is sturdy. They also blur the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing users to feel part of nature without losing the comfort they require.

SENSORY INTEGRATION

The structure is designed with openings that connect it with the landscape. This design choice allows light, wind, and sound to flow freely, enhancing the experience for users. The nearby water bodies emphasize the relationship between the building and the environment, adding another layer of tranquility.

The arrangement of spaces encourages meditation, with a raised structure providing views of the landscape. This design detail enriches the experience, inviting users to engage with their surroundings and allowing nature to play a significant role in the space.

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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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