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Meditative Courtyard Surrounded by Folded Roof Pavilions

Authors:
Petrea Sweeny, Aurelie Frolet
Meditative Courtyard Surrounded by Folded Roof Pavilions

Project in-detail

A folded roof plane embraces four distinct pavilions, creating a meditative courtyard that enhances daily routines through mindful engagement with both the interior and surrounding environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Four distinct pavilions designed for specific functions enhance spatial flexibility.
02
A central meditative courtyard is open to the sky, promoting natural light and airflow.
03
A folded roof plane channels rainwater into a cistern, emphasizing sustainability.
04
Cross-ventilation features support summer use, while a wood-burning stove caters to winter.
05
The design encourages perambulatory meditation through purposeful movement between spaces.

The Part-to-Whole House presents a modern way of living that challenges conventional designs. Located in a calm area, this residence emphasizes a thoughtful layout where four separate pavilions cater to distinct functions: sleeping, washing, reading, and relaxation. Central to the design is a meditative courtyard that enhances the connection between the indoors and outdoors. This layout promotes mindfulness, inviting residents to engage with their environment more deeply.

Spatial Configuration

The structure breaks away from typical home layouts by dividing activities into individual pavilions. This segmentation offers each space its own character while still creating a harmonious overall design. Such a layout allows occupants greater flexibility, making it easy for them to interact with different areas based on their needs. The movement between these distinct spaces fosters a sense of purpose throughout daily life.

Central Courtyard

A central feature is the meditative courtyard, which acts as a gathering place uniting the four pavilions. The courtyard is open to the sky, allowing natural light to flood the area and inviting the elements into daily living. Through this open design, a connection to nature is established, encouraging inhabitants to reflect and practice mindfulness in their everyday routines.

Roof and Sustainability

The roof is designed as a single folded plane that visually connects the pavilions while also serving practical functions. It collects rainwater, which is directed into a cistern located in the courtyard. This reflects a commitment to sustainable practices, emphasizing the importance of resource management. The design integrates eco-friendly features, highlighting the relationship between built spaces and the natural world.

Seasonal Engagement

The design considers seasonal changes by including features tailored for varying climates. One pavilion is equipped with ample cross-ventilation for summer use, while another contains a wood-burning stove to provide warmth in winter. These thoughtful adaptations ensure that the home resonates with the natural cycles of the environment, inviting residents to experience seasonal variations as they move through different spaces.

In the meditative courtyard, the rainwater cistern quietly serves as a functional detail, illustrating the thoughtful connection between the residence and its 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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