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Healing Spaces of Air-Dried Timber with Integrated Sensory Gardens

Authors:
Samuel Kumar, James Jones
Healing Spaces of Air-Dried Timber with Integrated Sensory Gardens

Project in-detail

With its air-dried timber construction and integrated sensory garden, the cabin creates a serene environment that facilitates meditation and therapeutic treatments.
5 key facts about this project
01
The cabin features a sensory garden that incorporates healing plants for therapeutic immersion.
02
Locally sourced air-dried timber ensures a sustainable approach to construction.
03
The design includes efficient storage solutions for therapeutic tools within easy reach.
04
Timber cladding serves as a climate-regulating element, enhancing occupant comfort.
05
The structure is designed to allow a seamless visual connection with the surrounding landscape.

The meditation cabin is designed to create a space that encourages connection with nature and supports mental well-being. Located in a tranquil environment, it offers areas for meditation and various treatments. The design focuses on sustainability and enhancing the user experience. Each element is intricately planned to promote a sense of calm while allowing for diverse therapeutic activities.

Spatial Organization

The cabin features two main areas to serve different purposes. The Cabin is the primary treatment space where therapies like massage and aromatherapy occur. This area is protected from direct sunlight, which helps maintain a comfortable climate. Organized storage keeps tools easily accessible, ensuring therapists can work efficiently while maintaining a clean environment.

Materiality

Timber is the main material used in the cabin's construction. Sourced locally and air-dried, it connects the structure to its surroundings and supports sustainable building practices. The exterior timber cladding functions as a climate regulator, controlling temperatures inside the cabin. Its thickness allows for views of the surrounding landscape while keeping the space private.

Sensory Engagement

Beneath the cabin, a sensory garden has been integrated, featuring healing plants such as lavender and aloe vera. This garden adds a therapeutic layer to the overall experience, inviting people to engage with nature. A water system draws on used water from the cabin’s interior, providing efficient irrigation for the garden and minimizing waste.

Design Integration

The roof is equipped with solar panels that generate energy for the cabin. This feature highlights the commitment to environmentally friendly design. Over time, the sensory garden is expected to grow and intertwine with the timber screen, creating a stronger link between the building and the natural world. The evolving relationship between the structure and its environment enhances the overall experience for those who visit and use the space.

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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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