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Kauri Wood Pillars Framing Light-Filled Meditation Space Surrounded by Translucent Cloth

Author:
Chan Noh
Kauri Wood Pillars Framing Light-Filled Meditation Space Surrounded by Translucent Cloth

Project in-detail

Framed by pillars of kauri wood and enveloped in translucent cloth, the meditation space invites quiet reflection while harnessing natural light and air to enhance the connection between humans and their environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Kauri wood pillars reflect traditional Maori architecture.
02
Steel pipes frame the entrance, creating a distinct contrast with nature.
03
Transparent acrylic tubes provide varied elevations for light and airflow.
04
The roof mimics forest canopies, enabling soft light diffusion.
05
A translucent cloth surrounds the structure, enhancing environmental connection.

The design draws inspiration from the historical journeys of the Maori tribes, focusing on their deep connection with the natural world. Located in New Zealand, the project functions as a space for meditation and reflection. It embodies themes of spirituality while illustrating an ongoing relationship between people and their environment. By combining artificial and natural elements, the design promotes an understanding of unity in diversity.

Spatial Experience
A stylized colonnade comprised of steel pipes frames the entrance, creating a sense of separation from the surrounding nature. This contrasting feature leads visitors from a structured environment into a more open meditation area. The spatial arrangement encourages exploration, offering various experiences as one moves deeper into the structure. It transforms from rigid to fluid, inviting a greater connection with the landscape.

Cultural Resonance
At the center is the meditation space, designed to symbolize the bond between humans and nature. Here, pillars evoke forms found in the outdoors, allowing users to engage with their environment meaningfully. Kauri wood, a traditional material in Maori architecture, adds cultural significance while providing a warm texture. This material choice helps transition the visitor’s experience from artificial to comforting.

Material Narrative
Materials play a significant role in shaping the experience of the space. Steel pipes emphasize the structured entrance, while transparent acrylic tubes introduce varying heights and allow for light and air movement. This setup represents a shift toward a more natural experience. The roof, made from circular polycarbonate, resembles a forest canopy. It allows filtered sunlight to softly illuminate the interior, enhancing the calm atmosphere.

Design Details
The building is surrounded by a translucent cloth that diffuses sunlight and offers protection from the weather. This detail strengthens the connection between the structure and its natural setting, creating an inviting environment for visitors. The interplay of light through the polycarbonate roof, combined with the touch of wood, establishes a space that encourages quiet thought and introspection.

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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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