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Gabion Walls and Local Stone Harmonize in a Sustainable Yoga Retreat

Authors:
Dan Bendori, Dor Ben arosh
Gabion Walls and Local Stone Harmonize in a Sustainable Yoga Retreat

Project in-detail

Constructed with gabion walls and local stone, the design merges natural materials with sustainable practices to create an environment focused on yoga and meditation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with locally sourced stone gabion walls for structural integrity and insulation.
02
Designed to capitalize on valley views and natural light for enhanced user experience.
03
Incorporates a rainwater harvesting system for sustainable water management.
04
Features a dedicated outdoor yoga area elevated to enhance connection with nature.
05
Includes integrated vegetable gardens to promote self-sufficiency among practitioners.

Ananta is an architectural design located in a tranquil setting dedicated to yoga practitioners. It blends nature and meditation to create an environment that promotes mindfulness and awareness. The design fosters both community and individual experience, allowing users to connect deeply with themselves and the natural world.

Spatial Organization

The arrangement of Ananta centers on a Main Hall, specifically designed for large group yoga sessions. Its position takes full advantage of the surrounding valley views and natural light, enhancing the overall experience for participants. Flanking the Main Hall are the Kitchen and Bathroom areas, which provide convenience while ensuring privacy, balancing the project’s functional and intimate aspects.

Water Management Strategy

A key aspect of Ananta is its eco-friendly water management system. The design utilizes the site's natural slopes to create a reservoir for rainwater collection, effectively managing drainage. This reservoir not only supplies water for essential daily uses and irrigation but also supports the vegetable gardens surrounding the building. The systems in place to purify graywater illustrate a commitment to sustainability, ensuring water is carefully reused within the environment.

Energy Production and Structural Integrity

The energy component is cleverly integrated through a flat roof equipped with photovoltaic cells, designed to capture sunlight for the building's power needs. This approach reduces operational costs and highlights the project's focus on sustainability. The use of locally sourced stone in gabion walls serves a practical purpose by providing structural support while offering thermal insulation. This choice of materials enhances the building’s look and aligns with eco-friendly practices.

Outdoor Integration

The design includes various outdoor spaces, featuring an elevated area for yoga practice. This aspect encourages users to engage actively with the landscape, deepening their connection to nature. Gathering spaces scattered throughout the site promote social interactions, while the gardens create opportunities for practitioners to engage with the cycles of nature and the food it provides.

Large windows in the Main Hall's western facade open up to the tranquil landscape, allowing users to immerse themselves fully in the views and the peaceful atmosphere created by the setting. This connection to the outdoors enriches the experience of practice, fostering a deeper sense of harmony with the environment.

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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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