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Meditative Living Within Glazed Wooden Panels and Natural Surroundings

Authors:
Federica Farè, Sara Grassi, Martina Gasparoli
Meditative Living Within Glazed Wooden Panels and Natural Surroundings

Project in-detail

A harmonious blend of glazed wooden panels within a serene forest setting creates a unique meditation space, offering a tranquil living experience that emphasizes connection with nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
A dedicated meditation area enhances mindfulness and tranquility.
02
Glazed panels allow for abundant natural light and views of the forest.
03
Wooden panels create a warm, inviting atmosphere throughout the residence.
04
The design adapts seamlessly to seasonal changes in the environment.
05
Strategically placed openings frame scenic outdoor vistas, integrating nature.

The architectural design project located in Latvia is a residence that connects closely with its natural surroundings. Set amidst varied landscapes featuring flat areas and wooded hills, the dwelling is designed to enhance well-being and encourage reflection. The concept centers on fostering a strong bond between the living space and the environment, creating a home that celebrates the beauty of nature.

Concept and Layout

The residence's layout is organized into different functional areas to improve both communal and private experiences. A key feature of the design is an open meditation space that allows residents to reflect and engage with the surroundings. This central space embodies the intention to provide a peaceful retreat, emphasizing calmness and an appreciation of the outdoors.

Light and Adaptability

Glazed sections are incorporated into the design, allowing natural light to fill the rooms. These openings create visual connections to the outside landscape and reduce the need for artificial lighting during the day. The adaptable nature of the design also responds well to seasonal changes, letting the structure interact with the varying environment. This responsiveness ensures that residents can fully experience the beauty of each season.

Materiality and Connection to Nature

Wooden panels are the primary material used in the design, reflecting the local resources and complementing the overall look of the residence. These materials enhance the warm atmosphere and strengthen the connection to the surrounding forest. Well-placed windows and openings frame scenic views and promote an indoor-outdoor relationship, allowing nature to enhance daily life.

The design encourages a fluid transition between interior spaces and the outdoor environment. An inviting outdoor area leads from inside, allowing residents to step outside and experience the tranquility of nature. This connection serves to deepen the relationship with the landscape, making it an integral part of everyday living, while ensuring that the beauty of the natural world is always within reach.

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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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