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Glazing and Timber Create Tranquil Spaces for Reflection and Community

Author:
Tony Leung
Glazing and Timber Create Tranquil Spaces for Reflection and Community

Project in-detail

Exposed timber frames and expansive glazing define a peaceful retreat that integrates meditation chambers and an outdoor bath, promoting community well-being and reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Exposed timber frames enhance structural integrity and aesthetic warmth.
02
Large areas of glazing maximize natural light and connection to the outdoors.
03
Dedicated silence chambers provide individualized spaces for meditation.
04
The layout promotes a fluid movement between communal and private areas.
05
A covered terrace serves as a key transitional space linking various functions.

The design is set in a tranquil landscape that encourages wellness and community connection. It focuses on providing spaces for meditation, relaxation, and social interaction. The concept underscores the importance of blending indoor and outdoor experiences, creating a calm environment that promotes both personal reflection and group activities.

Functional Integration

The design includes several dedicated areas, such as a meditation stream, meditation sky, outdoor bath, dining facilities, farm, guest rooms, a covered terrace or lobby, and a playground. Each space is thoughtfully organized to create a cohesive environment, fostering moments of both solitude and community. The annex extends from the existing barn to include an event hall and an indoor bath, improving the organization of the site.

Spatial Organization

Areas are arranged on the first and second levels of the barn, allowing common spaces to facilitate social interaction while providing privacy for the guest rooms. The reception area and staircase are located at the covered terrace, acting as a key link that encourages movement throughout the site. A fence wall outlines the main entrance, garden area, and outdoor bath, offering clarity and structure to the arrangement.

Material Considerations

Exposed timber frames and glazing are used in the annex, enhancing its visual appeal while enabling natural light to flow inside. This choice of materials contributes to a welcoming atmosphere and helps connect the spaces to the surrounding landscape. Silence chambers, accessed via a ramp outside the fence wall, add another layer to the design, providing quiet areas for contemplation.

Well-Defined Pathways

Paths throughout the design are clear and logical, guiding movement between various functional spaces. Essential amenities, such as the kitchen, library, changing rooms, and storerooms, are integrated into the layout, ensuring that daily activities can proceed efficiently. The careful arrangement of spaces and attention to material choices combine to create an environment that serves the needs of its users while promoting a sense of peace.

Natural elements are woven into the design, further enhancing the link between the constructed spaces and the natural surroundings, fostering a sense of calm and well-being for everyone who visits.

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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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