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Horizontal Levels of Wood and Rice Paper Embrace Nature for Meditative Retreat

Authors:
Chatzigiannakou Anna, AIKATERINI MITSIONI
Horizontal Levels of Wood and Rice Paper Embrace Nature for Meditative Retreat

Project in-detail

Utilizing multi-levels of wood and rice paper, the design creates a serene environment that connects users with nature, offering a functional space for meditation and reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Multi-level structure enhances user interaction and social engagement.
02
Utilizes traditional Japanese joinery techniques for structural integrity.
03
Incorporates a reversed configuration to connect with water elements.
04
Constructed with natural materials to harmonize with the environment.
05
Emphasizes a gradual transition from enclosed spaces to open vistas.

The "Polymorphic" design provides a flexible and portable structure intended for meditation and relaxation in outdoor environments. It aims to create a space where users can step away from the noise of the city and engage with nature. The overall design emphasizes adaptability, allowing for diverse experiences that range from personal reflection to social interaction.

Design Concept

The structure consists of three vertical levels, each designed to meet different needs. The ground level is closed and opaque, offering a sanctuary for those seeking solitude and quiet reflection. As users ascend, the upper levels open up, promoting relaxation and a greater connection to the surrounding natural landscape. This gradual transition from enclosure to openness is key to the overall experience.

User Interaction

A multi-level approach encourages occupants to interact with each other as they navigate through the space. This interconnected design fosters a sense of community while still allowing for personal moments of retreat. There is also a reversed configuration option where the enclosed space sits on top, allowing occupants to connect more closely with water elements, enhancing the meditative experience.

Materiality

The materials chosen for this design are wood and rice paper. Both are natural elements that reflect their cultural significance in Japan while also resonating with the environment. The use of traditional joinery techniques, like cross halving and double corner joints, contributes to the structure’s craftsmanship and cultural authenticity.

The design strikes a balance between built space and nature, prioritizing a relationship that enhances the user experience. Transparent spaces and strategic voids allow natural light to flow in, creating a feeling of openness. This integration of structural and natural elements is foundational to the project, providing clear connections between the occupants and their 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

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