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Intimate Garden Retreat with Flexible Cabin Spaces

Author:
Nadav Fuerstain-gefen
Intimate Garden Retreat with Flexible Cabin Spaces

Project in-detail

An internal garden space, created through thoughtful subtraction of mass, shapes flexible cabin arrangements that cater to communal and individual needs in a serene retreat for reflection and creativity.
5 key facts about this project
01
Internal garden space enhances natural light and promotes introspection.
02
Design employs a subtraction technique to open up the built forms.
03
Flexible cabin arrangements accommodate various guest needs and sizes.
04
Public facilities include a multifunctional gallery for artistic engagement.
05
Thoughtful massing creates a visual dialogue with the surrounding landscape.

The "Poet Huts - Garden of Silence" is a design that brings together living spaces and nature in a tranquil setting. Located in a wide open field, it aims to provide a place for reflection, creativity, and community interactions. The concept is based on the experience of sound and silence, inviting visitors to connect with their surroundings thoughtfully.

Site Organization

The design carefully positions two main structures to respond to the challenges of an expansive landscape. These structures are aligned parallel to the open fields, creating a clear visual relationship with the natural setting. This arrangement emphasizes light and openness through the removal of sections within the masses. Such subtraction creates an internal garden that serves as the central feature of the project, allowing nature to flow in and become a part of the user experience.

Functional Layout

The project is divided into public and private areas. Public spaces include a gallery, common kitchen, and hosts’ cabin, which support group activities and artistic engagement. The gallery functions as a versatile area for exhibitions, readings, and workshops, encouraging social interaction among visitors. This layout highlights the importance of community while allowing for different cultural expressions, ensuring that everyone can find their place in this shared environment.

Private Quarters

The design of the private quarters offers various options for sleeping arrangements, such as cabins for four, double-bed units, and single-bed cabins. This variety serves to accommodate different types of guests, whether individuals seeking time alone or small groups coming together. Each living space maintains a connection to the garden, allowing users to step outside and engage with nature easily while still enjoying personal privacy.

Design Intent

The key aim of the "Poet Huts - Garden of Silence" is to strengthen the relationship between people and their natural surroundings. The thoughtful design invites users to immerse themselves in the quality of their environment. The internal garden acts as a peaceful area for reflection and gathering, reinforcing the project’s purpose as a retreat that respects its setting while catering to the needs of its users.

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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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