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Hempcrete Retreat with Redwood Emphasis and Natural Harmony

Author:
Wa'ed Al rabab'a
Hempcrete Retreat with Redwood Emphasis and Natural Harmony

Project in-detail

Constructed from hempcrete and redwood, the facility embodies sustainable practices while providing a serene environment for yoga and meditation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using hempcrete for improved thermal performance and sustainability.
02
Features a rainwater harvesting system tailored to the local climate of Oleiros.
03
Incorporates a unique air collector system to enhance indoor air quality.
04
Utilizes double-glazed, waterproofed redwood boards for durability and insulation.
05
Includes grey water recycling for irrigation, promoting efficient resource use.

The ESPERE Yoga House is located in Oleiros, a place that embodies tranquility and nature. The design focuses on creating a harmonious space for yoga practice, allowing for connection between the building and its environment. A core objective of the design is to reflect the principles of flexibility and balance that are essential to yoga. The structure is intended to offer users a peaceful retreat where they can engage with both their surroundings and their inner selves.

Spatial Organization

The layout of the ESPERE Yoga House includes various public areas, ensuring the needs of different users are met. These areas comprise a reception, lobby-waiting area, office, storage, mini-cafeteria, changing rooms, bathrooms, lockers, and several yoga classrooms. The arrangement of these spaces allows for interaction while also accommodating individual practices. Clear pathways enhance ease of movement, creating an inviting environment for both social activity and personal reflection.

Innovative Eco-Friendly Systems

A key element of the design is the incorporation of eco-friendly systems that support sustainability. The water-saving system draws inspiration from traditional Damascene architecture and is tailored to the climate of Oleiros. It includes an air collector designed to use summer breezes for ventilation, while filters maintain air quality inside the building. Additionally, a rough inner wall supports sediment deposition, and a water storage system helps purify air, highlighting a thoughtful approach to environmental care.

Sustainable Energy and Resource Management

The facility also features a rainwater harvesting system, calculated according to local rainfall data, ensuring adequate water supply throughout the year. Grey water collected from bathrooms is filtered and reused for irrigation, promoting efficient resource management. Energy needs are addressed with a solar system that consists of 20 solar panels. These panels are chosen based on the building's size and expected energy consumption, thus making the project more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

Material Choices

Material selection is vital to the design and reinforces its sustainability goals. Support wood is used, particularly double-glazed, waterproofed redwood boards, which provide structural integrity and resistance to moisture. Hempcrete blocks are employed for their low environmental impact and ability to regulate temperature and humidity indoors. Oak wood is also incorporated, adding a natural aesthetic to the interior spaces and ensuring durability.

Architectural details contribute to creating an uplifting experience within the building. Large windows allow abundant natural light to flood the interiors, enhancing the sense of openness while fostering a relationship with the exterior landscape. The design encourages a tranquil atmosphere that promotes well-being and mindfulness, reflecting the underlying principles of yoga practice.

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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
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