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Gravity-Fed Water Features Enhancing Wellness Cabins Amid Native Stone and Greenery

Authors:
Paul Briner, Chris Wiltshire, Sarah Mizran
Gravity-Fed Water Features Enhancing Wellness Cabins Amid Native Stone and Greenery

Project in-detail

Incorporating gravity-fed water features and nestled within rocky herb gardens, the cabins provide a sustainable retreat that emphasizes a connection to nature and wellness.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cabins designed to reflect the experience of forest bathing.
02
Integrated gravitational system for efficient water management.
03
Communal wellness amenities enhance social interaction.
04
Reed beds serve both aesthetic and ecological purposes.
05
Meditation spaces are formed within living plant structures.

The project embodies a concept centered around biomimicry, situated in a setting that evokes a forest environment. It features a series of cabins designed to enhance engagement with nature, influenced by the practice of forest bathing, known as shinrin yoku. This carefully considered approach ensures that each cabin plays a role in promoting reflection, exploration, and connection with the surrounding landscape.

Outdoor Meditation Spaces

Integrating outdoor meditation areas, the design forms spaces within the living structures of plants and trees, allowing for quiet moments of contemplation. These inviting settings encourage users to engage their senses and foster a deeper bond with nature. The thoughtful arrangement of these areas enhances tranquility and contributes to a sense of well-being.

Water Management System

The design employs a gravitational water management system that takes advantage of the site's natural topography. Various water features direct the flow of water, concluding in a reed bed that serves both ecological and aesthetic purposes. This method highlights a commitment to sustainability and reinforces the project's harmony with the environment.

Communal Wellness Amenities

Central to the cabin cluster are community-focused facilities, including a plunge pool and a thermal bathing pool. These amenities act as social spaces, encouraging interaction while providing areas for relaxation. The inclusion of these features enriches the overall experience, supporting both individual rejuvenation and community gatherings.

The selection of materials includes timber for the cabin frames, native stone that provides thermal mass, cork for internal lining, and wool used for insulation between studs. These choices are practical and align with a broader design narrative, emphasizing sustainability and local sourcing for a cohesive approach.

Visitors can navigate through the cabins in a journey that reveals varied landscapes, ultimately leading to the tranquil plunge pool. This design detail blends built forms and natural elements, promoting contemplation and an appreciation of the surrounding 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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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