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Foldable Roof Integrating Larch Wood and Natural Light for Mindful Living

Authors:
Julia Gross, Fabian Kitzberger
Foldable Roof Integrating Larch Wood and Natural Light for Mindful Living

Project in-detail

A foldable roof and walls made of larch wood create an immersive experience within the forest, encouraging mindfulness and reflection in a compact cabin designed for retreat and relaxation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Foldable roof and walls allow for direct interaction with the surrounding forest.
02
Users engage in physical tasks, such as collecting firewood and filtering water, to foster mindfulness.
03
The structure incorporates a gravity light system for energy-efficient illumination.
04
It features a composting toilet that uses sawdust to manage waste naturally.
05
Rainwater collection is utilized for washing, promoting resource self-sufficiency.

The Mindful Cabin is a unique structure designed to enhance interaction with nature while providing a space for reflection and relaxation. Located in a tranquil natural environment, the cabin serves as a retreat that encourages mindfulness and connection to its surroundings. The design concept revolves around blending shelter with openness, featuring a foldable roof and wall that invite the outdoors inside.

Design Concept

At the heart of the Mindful Cabin is its ability to create a dialogue between interior spaces and the forest outside. The traditional house design has been cleverly split in half. This allows for versatile use, making it a space for both meditation and creativity. Users can experience the forest as an integral part of their living space, promoting activities that foster relaxation and contemplation.

Mindful Living

The cabin promotes a lifestyle centered on mindfulness by requiring users to engage actively with their environment. Instead of enjoying instant access to amenities, visitors must gather firewood and carry filtered water. These simple tasks encourage appreciation for everyday resources and serve as a reminder of the value of nature. This hands-on approach not only reduces waste but also helps guests reflect on their consumption habits and the importance of sustainability.

Sustainable Infrastructure

The structure includes components designed for ecological responsibility and practicality. A multifunctional fireplace provides both warmth and a cooking surface, helping reduce reliance on conventional energy sources. The composting toilet uses sawdust to manage odors, providing an effective and environmentally friendly solution. Additionally, the cabin incorporates a rainwater collection system for washing, minimizing the demand for external water resources.

Innovative Features

The cabin showcases practical design elements that enhance usability. The gravity light system offers an energy-efficient way to illuminate the space. Similarly, the filtered water canister lacks a traditional sink, which helps reduce waste. The foldable roof and wall utilize a low-tech weight balance system and gas struts for easy operation. These functional features, combined with the use of larch wood shingles and planks for structural elements, reflect a commitment to local and renewable materials.

The Mindful Cabin creates a focused experience of living, where each aspect encourages users to connect with their environment. It supports a way of life that values awareness, appreciation, and responsible use of nature's resources.

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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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