Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Gabion-Walled Retreats Enhanced by Green Roofs and Local Stone

Author:
Ayelet Shalev
Gabion-Walled Retreats Enhanced by Green Roofs and Local Stone

Project in-detail

Constructed with gabion walls and topped with green roofs, these meditation cabins emphasize a connection to the local landscape while providing tranquil spaces for reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with natural stone gabion walls, enhancing structural integrity and aesthetic connection to the landscape.
02
Green roofs promote biodiversity and assist with stormwater management.
03
Cabins utilize passive solar heating for energy efficiency throughout the year.
04
Interior finishes combine local wood and fabric to create warm, inviting spaces.
05
Each cabin's design follows the golden section for harmonious proportions and visual appeal.

Meditation cabins are designed to blend harmoniously with their natural surroundings while encouraging personal reflection and connection to the environment. Located in a peaceful area, these structures provide quiet spaces where people can engage in introspection and find a sense of tranquility. The overall design concept fosters an understanding of how architecture and nature can coexist.

Concept and Philosophy

The design draws inspiration from philosophical ideas that emphasize balance and harmony. It is meant to create a sense of calm, allowing individuals to reconnect with themselves and their surroundings. Each cabin stands as a retreat, intentionally placed to integrate with the natural landscape, promoting an environment where mindfulness can thrive.

Materiality and Construction

Natural stone is employed for gabion walls, serving both structural and aesthetic purposes. These walls create a visual connection with the landscape while allowing airflow and light to enhance the experience inside the cabins. Wood and fabric are carefully chosen for the interiors, adding warmth and comfort, making the space inviting and restorative for users.

Sustainability Features

Sustainable practices are integral to the design. The cabins utilize passive solar heating to optimize energy efficiency. Green roofs help manage rainwater while providing insulation. Additionally, systems for recycling grey water support responsible resource use. By incorporating these features, the cabins aim to promote a lifestyle that values environmental stewardship.

Spatial Arrangement and Experience

The layout of the cabins is carefully considered, aiming to foster a strong relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces. Windows are strategically placed to frame views of the natural environment, inviting the outside in. The proportional design follows the golden section, contributing to a pleasing aesthetic. Upon entering the cabins, one encounters a blend of comfort and nature that encourages relaxation and personal reflection.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

`
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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy