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Hinoki Wood Retreat Featuring Grounded Container Design

Authors:
Piyaporn Wadkhien, Chawakorn Hongthong, Phimpakanit Parisanyuthanont, Sorasith Butsingkorn
Hinoki Wood Retreat Featuring Grounded Container Design

Project in-detail

Constructed from a shipping container and enriched with Hinoki wood, this retreat offers a serene environment for meditation and introspection, balancing the calming qualities of its enclosed lower level with the uplifting experience of its light-filled upper area.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using a repurposed shipping container for structural durability.
02
Features Hinoki wood for its aromatic qualities and tactile warmth.
03
Two distinct zones offer contrasting experiences of solitude and light.
04
The ground floor emphasizes calmness with solid walls enclosing the space.
05
Large glass elements enhance natural light flow and connection to the environment.

The Container Meditation Cabin is a carefully designed retreat that aims to blend with its natural surroundings. This structure serves as a place for introspection and meditation, allowing users to experience two contrasting environments within its walls. The design concept promotes a journey from darkness to light, encouraging visitors to reflect and rejuvenate in a peaceful setting.

Spatial Configuration

The cabin features two distinct zones that cater to different emotional needs. The ground floor is known as the Silent Area & Spa Area, which is enclosed by solid walls. This setting fosters an intimate and calming atmosphere, ideal for moments of personal reflection and relaxation. The thoughtful layout emphasizes solitude and creates a nurturing environment for mindfulness.

In contrast, the Light Connecting Area and Meditation Area occupy the second floor. This open space connects users with natural light, creating a cheerful and uplifting ambiance. The experience changes dramatically as one moves between the two levels, highlighting the contrast between introspection and the joyful engagement with sunlight.

Materiality and Aesthetics

Material choices play a crucial role in shaping the comfort and usability of the cabin. The primary structure is made from a shipping container, offering strength and flexibility in design. Inside, Hinoki wood is used for its pleasant scent and warmth, enhancing the sensory experience. Glass elements have been integrated to allow natural light to flow through the spaces, further enriching the overall atmosphere of the cabin.

Detailing and Integration

Design details illustrate a thoughtful approach to transitioning between spaces. Users move smoothly from the quiet ground floor to the bright upper level, with each area offering its own unique experience. The connection between the cabin and its environment is evident in the way the building responds to its landscape. The relationship between solid walls and glass surfaces emphasizes both privacy and openness, enhancing the experience as one navigates through the cabin.

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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

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