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Louvered Canopy and Concrete Foundations in a Tranquil Meditation Space

Authors:
Andy Donlin, Austin Pelfrey, Brandon Haarer
Louvered Canopy and Concrete Foundations in a Tranquil Meditation Space

Project in-detail

Constructed with a louvered wood canopy and concrete foundation, this Meditation Cabin offers a tranquil space that encourages mindfulness and a deep connection to the surrounding natural landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Louvered facade allows for adjustable light and airflow.
02
Concrete foundation enhances stability and grounding for meditation.
03
Prefabricated framing simplifies construction and assembly.
04
Design inspired by the anatomical structure of a tree.
05
Integrates the practice of "forest bathing" with natural surroundings.

The Dendriform Healing Center is situated in the Vale de Moses Yoga Retreat. It serves as a Meditation Cabin designed to connect deeply with the surrounding mountains and forests. The concept draws inspiration from the structure of a tree, helping to create a peaceful environment for mindfulness and meditation.

Foundation
The foundation of the Meditation Cabin acts as the trunk and roots of a tree. It is made from concrete piers and a stone wall, anchoring the building firmly to the ground. This grounding feature is important for meditation, providing stability and a sense of support. The design allows for a thoughtful relationship between the cabin and its natural surroundings, ensuring that the structure feels at home in the landscape.

Upper Structure
The upper section of the cabin represents the branches of the tree. It uses a simplified framing system that mimics how branches spread. This framing is prefabricated off-site, using steel connections that reflect traditional craftsmanship from both Portugal and Japan. By choosing this approach, the design not only becomes easier to assemble but also demonstrates a commitment to modern building techniques that respect traditional methods.

Facade
The louvered wood facade symbolizes the canopy of the tree. It features operable screens that allow light and air to flow into the cabin, creating a responsive relationship with the outside environment. This design invites the natural elements inside, enriching the experience of the space. The facade’s flexibility supports the practice of "forest bathing," enhancing the guest's connection with the healing qualities of the surrounding pine forests.

Design Detail
The Meditation Cabin's design encourages careful attention through its intelligent use of space and natural light. As sunlight filters through the louvered facade, it creates a dance of shadows and highlights across the interior. This play of light changes throughout the day, echoing the natural rhythms of the environment and inviting visitors to engage in a calming, reflective experience.

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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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