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Healing Spaces with Meditation Pods and Open-Air Therapy on Barkan Island

Author:
Pierre Sfeir
Healing Spaces with Meditation Pods and Open-Air Therapy on Barkan Island

Project in-detail

Situated on Barkan Island, the design incorporates meditation pods and open-air therapy spaces to create an environment focused on healing and well-being.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rajajil incorporates specialized meditation and contemplation pods to enhance personal reflection.
02
The design emphasizes open-air therapy areas that connect visitors directly with nature.
03
Farming units are integrated to promote sustainability and a sense of community involvement.
04
Architectural forms combine organic shapes with geometric structures, representing life's journey.
05
The location is aligned with significant solar positions, enhancing spiritual and emotional experiences.

Rajajil is located on Barkan Island in the Red Sea, close to Neom in Saudi Arabia. It combines spaces for therapy, social interaction, and contemplation within a design focused on promoting well-being. The layout invites visitors to step away from their everyday lives, offering a chance to find peace and reflect.

Organs

The design includes specific areas known as "Organs" and "Cells." The "Organs" feature essential spaces such as the Prayer Space, Common Area and Library, Dining Area, Gathering Room, Therapy Space, Boat Deck, and Helipad. Each area serves a unique function, designed to encourage both community engagement and personal solitude. This careful balancing act between collective and individual needs shapes the visitor experience.

Cells

The "Cells" further refine these functions into specialized units. The Meditation Pods, Contemplation Pods, Open Air Therapy/Activities, Open Dining, Farming Units, Quiet/Sleep Pods, Reception, Kiosk, Service/Storage, and WC are examples of how spaces are designed to support various activities. These units encourage personal reflection while also accommodating group interactions, with the farming units emphasizing sustainability and connection to nature.

Design Language

The architectural design aligns organic forms with geometric shapes. This arrangement represents the journey of life, creating a rich experience for users. Vertical uneven shapes interact with smoother lines, mimicking the horizon. The balance of these contrasting elements invites visitors to explore their emotional landscape within the space.

Environmental Context

The design relies on environmental elements—water, air, and earth—to enhance the visitor experience. Water symbolizes emotion and encourages meditation, while air is associated with transformation and outdoor activities. Earth provides a sense of stability, reinforcing ties to nature, particularly through farming and communal dining. The integration of these elements creates an atmosphere that resonates with the people who visit.

As visitors navigate this thoughtfully designed environment, they can engage with the natural world around them, promoting a sense of healing and reflection. The architecture serves as a quiet companion on their journey toward peace.

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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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