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Helophyte-Driven Greywater System in A Sustainable Yoga Retreat

Authors:
Soujanya Krishnaprasad, Pierre Kauter
Helophyte-Driven Greywater System in A Sustainable Yoga Retreat

Project in-detail

A greywater system using helophytes efficiently recycles water while supporting a diverse landscape, all within a sustainable retreat designed for yoga practice.
5 key facts about this project
01
Helophytes in the greywater system promote water recycling and enhance plant growth.
02
Indoor and outdoor yoga spaces create a strong connection with nature.
03
Native plant species are prioritized to support local biodiversity.
04
Composting toilets integrate waste management with ecological principles.
05
Slate roofing and wood elements reinforce local material usage and sustainability.

The Vale de Moses project is located in a diverse landscape designed to connect built environments with nature. The goal is to create a space for yoga practice that emphasizes ecological sustainability and personal well-being. The design concept revolves around regeneration, fostering a relationship between human activity and the surrounding environment.

Design Concept

At the heart of the design is the idea of regeneration, reflecting the changing nature of both people and their environments. The layout encourages connections with nature, offering both indoor and outdoor areas for yoga practitioners. This design enhances sensory experiences. Functional spaces, including a yoga hall, kitchen, and shower facilities, support a holistic approach to wellness that is central to the vision.

Sustainability Features

Sustainability plays an important role in the Vale de Moses design. Greywater systems, sourced from showers and treated with helophytes, represent a practical approach to managing resources. This system recycles water, showing a commitment to environmental stewardship. Additionally, urine-diverting composting toilets are included, ensuring that practical needs align with ecological responsibilities.

Landscape Integration

The landscape surrounding Vale de Moses significantly enhances the user experience. The design plans for the removal of non-native plants to promote biodiversity. This change encourages the growth of native flora and fauna. Specific tree species are chosen for their ecological benefits, including nitrogen fixation and edible products. This emphasis on landscape regeneration supports both ecological balance and a deeper connection to the environment.

Materials and Aesthetics

The selected materials reinforce the relationship with the natural setting. The structure incorporates slate roofing, wooden purlins, solid wood beams, and hemp insulation. These choices not only provide structural stability but also enhance visual appeal. Together, they create a harmonious blend of form and function that resonates with the project's core principles.

The yoga hall includes large windows that allow natural light to fill the space. These openings provide views of the surrounding landscape, deepening user engagement with nature. The connection between indoor and outdoor areas becomes a defining element of the experience at Vale de Moses.

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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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