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Meditation Cabins with Charred Wood Facades and Beaded Wainscot

Author:
Ștefan Șoptelea
Meditation Cabins with Charred Wood Facades and Beaded Wainscot

Project in-detail

Charred wood facades and beaded wainscot define a series of cabins designed for meditation and reflection, seamlessly integrating with the natural landscape while promoting sustainability through efficient water management and solar energy use.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cabins use charred wood to enhance durability and aesthetics.
02
Beaded wainscot interior provides a warm and intimate atmosphere.
03
Meditation space extends from the main structure for greater visibility.
04
Roof design incorporates a water tank for efficient resource management.
05
Solar panels ensure sustainable energy supply for the cabins.

The project at Vale de Moses carefully explores the connection between living spaces and nature. Four cabins are constructed to blend in with the landscape, emphasizing a design concept where the built environment does not overshadow its surroundings. The focus is on how architecture can enhance well-being and encourage moments of reflection.

Design Concept
At the heart of the design lies an investigation into happiness and how it relates to the environment. The cabins encourage occupants to take a moment and consider their feelings. By using simple, relatable gestures such as hanging laundry outside, the design prompts users to reconnect with nature and their own experiences of joy.

Spatial Layout
The layout of the cabins is thoughtfully planned to ensure that occupants feel connected to the landscape. Windows are placed for clear views while participating in activities such as meditation or therapy. This design choice allows light to fill the interior, creating a peaceful atmosphere that aligns with the project’s focus on comfort and tranquility.

Meditation Space
A significant feature is the meditation space, which extends slightly from the main structure. This area serves as a quiet retreat for reflection and is designed with elements inspired by basilicas. Its placement in the landscape allows for easy visibility, inviting moments of calm and thoughtfulness, creating a deeper connection to the surroundings.

Sustainability and Materials
Functionality and sustainability are key aspects of the design. The roof is configured to hold a water tank, efficiently managing resources. A separate system is in place for greywater, while solar panels cater to the energy requirements of the cabins. Charred wood is used for the facades, contrasting with the warm interior beaded wainscot. These choices not only appeal to aesthetics but also reflect an intention to foster a relationship between human constructions and the natural world.

Natural light filters into the meditation space, creating a gentle shift in mood throughout the day, enhancing the experience of being in touch with the changes in the surrounding environment.

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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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