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Hyperboloid Structure Embracing Recycled Wood for Meditative Reflection

Authors:
Lena Larionova, Kelly Boston, Lewin Wertheimer
Hyperboloid Structure Embracing Recycled Wood for Meditative Reflection

Project in-detail

The use of a hyperboloid structure with recycled wood creates a unique meditative space that fosters deep reflection and connection with nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
The cabin incorporates a hyperboloid shape for enhanced structural stability.
02
Recycled wooden veneer scraps are used to cover the cabin frame, promoting sustainability.
03
Interior spaces are designed to facilitate meditation and reflection zones.
04
The summer garden window blurs the lines between inside and outside spaces.
05
Wood serves as the primary material, rooted in Latvia's traditional building practices.

The Silent Meditation Forest Cabin is set in a calm natural environment, designed for quiet reflection and meditation. It integrates ideas from meditative practices with an exploration of geometric forms. The design follows the principles of Vipassana, which promotes seeing things as they truly are. This approach encourages visitors to connect with both their inner selves and the nature surrounding them.

Geometry and Structure

The design features circular and hyperboloid shapes, which provide efficient structural benefits. The hyperboloid base contributes to stability, while the use of circular forms ties back to historical ideas of divinity, commonly found in ancient architecture. The cabin is built using straight wooden beams instead of curved ones. This choice enhances clarity in the structure and supports its functional purpose.

Materiality and Sustainability

The primary building material is wood, which is known as the oldest construction material in Latvia. The design includes recycled wooden veneer scraps to cover the cabin's frame, extending the life cycle of the material. This aspect highlights a dedication to sustainability, reflecting current ecological practices in building design.

Spatial Relationships

One of the notable features of the cabin is its blurred boundaries between inside and outside. The summer garden window illustrates this interplay, shifting between an enclosed area and an open space. This allows for a smooth interaction with the landscape, encouraging a deeper engagement and fostering moments of contemplation.

Meditative Zones

Inside, the layout carefully organizes areas for meditation and reflection. Each zone is designed to support focused activities while enhancing the experience of those within the space. The arrangement promotes an easy flow from one area to another. This design approach aligns with the values of Vipassana and invites individuals to connect with both their thoughts and the nature around them.

Light filters through the cabin, creating inviting spaces that encourage quiet moments. The combination of geometric forms and sustainable materials forms an atmosphere conducive to mindfulness, allowing each visitor to experience tranquility and a deeper connection to 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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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