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Hollow Brick Retreat with Passive Solar Walls and Rainwater Collection

Author:
Kumata Feng
Hollow Brick Retreat with Passive Solar Walls and Rainwater Collection

Project in-detail

Constructed with hollow bricks and equipped with passive solar walls, the retreat incorporates a sloping roof for rainwater collection, creating a functional space designed for yoga practice and relaxation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using hollow bricks for enhanced insulation and ventilation.
02
Incorporates passive solar walls to optimize energy efficiency.
03
Features a sloping roof designed specifically for rainwater collection.
04
The yoga room is isolated from external noise for a tranquil experience.
05
Large west-facing windows provide ample natural light while shielding against wind.

The White Yoga House is located in a calming landscape that emphasizes user comfort and functional spaces. Designed as a retreat for yoga practice, the building works to connect with its environment. The aim is to create a peaceful setting that allows users to focus on meditation and relaxation. The overall idea revolves around minimizing external distractions while using space effectively, promoting a harmonious atmosphere that balances both nature and function.

Spatial Organization

The central feature of the design is an atrium, which acts as the main hub for movement between various areas. This layout provides clear distinctions among spaces. The yoga room is placed in the quieter northern section to encourage calmness and concentration. Bathrooms positioned near the entrance improve accessibility, making it easier for users to navigate the facility.

Material Selection

The building primarily uses a mix of brick construction, particularly hollow bricks, which enhance thermal insulation and aid ventilation. This material choice reflects a strong focus on sustainability and energy efficiency. Passive solar walls are integrated throughout the design, alongside solar panels positioned on the roof, contributing to maintaining comfortable interior temperatures.

Architectural Features

Key elements include a sloping roof that serves dual purposes: collecting rainwater and providing visual interest. Large windows on the western side act as both a wind shield and a source of natural light. This aspect enhances the indoor atmosphere while inviting the surrounding landscape inside. The open courtyard walls promote ventilation, ensuring that the interior spaces remain fresh and connected to nature.

Details and Aesthetics

The exterior is painted white, aimed at maximizing reflection of sunlight and reducing heat absorption. This choice creates bright, airy spaces that enhance the overall experience for users, especially within the yoga room. Thoughtfully placed design elements work together to foster a peaceful and inviting environment, highlighting a balanced relationship between the built structure and the natural surroundings.

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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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