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Natural Light and Concrete Core Create Tranquil Yoga Retreat

Authors:
Thomas Peters, Buse Serbetci, Aksel Kemahlioglu
Natural Light and Concrete Core Create Tranquil Yoga Retreat

Project in-detail

A concrete core supports a serene yoga space illuminated by natural light, creating a tranquil retreat that invites introspection in a carefully crafted garden environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Designed as a spiritual garden retreat emphasizing introspection.
02
The path features a protective roof that guides visitors from the exterior to the interior.
03
Natural light floods the yoga space, enhancing the daily rhythm of practice.
04
Concrete walls blend with earthy materials to create a sense of enclosure.
05
Visitors are invited to walk barefoot on warm wooden floors for a tactile experience.

Vale de Moses is a carefully designed retreat located in a peaceful valley, focusing on the connection between architecture and nature. It serves as a garden for the spirit, encouraging visitors to reflect and connect with themselves and their surroundings. The design revolves around three main elements: the path, the enclosure, and the enclosed space, allowing for a smooth transition from the outside world into a calming internal atmosphere.

The Path

The experience begins with the path, an important feature that welcomes people into the retreat. This pathway links the mountainous landscape with the serene spaces within Vale de Moses. It acts as a transition point, shifting visitors' focus from the busy outside to a more peaceful environment for meditation and self-discovery. The roof that extends over the path provides a sense of shelter, guiding individuals gently towards a more intimate area.

The Enclosure

The design features a dual enclosure that combines the natural earth of the forest on one side with a concrete structure on the other. This blend creates a transitional area representative of both the landscape and architecture. The earthy walls in the distance offer protection while adding to the feeling of being surrounded by nature. As guests enter, they are encouraged to remove their shoes. This simple act allows them to connect more deeply with the smooth wooden floor beneath their feet, enhancing their sensory experience of the space.

The Enclosed Space

At the heart of Vale de Moses lies the yoga space, thoughtfully positioned to make the most of natural light. The sun fills the room with warmth as it rises and gradually dims as evening approaches. This interplay of light and shadow emphasizes the rhythm of the day, creating a welcoming environment for introspection. The yoga space represents a blend of the physical and spiritual, inviting visitors to explore the balance between these aspects in their practice.

The Materials

Materials for the retreat include concrete and wood, each carefully chosen for their contributions to the experience. Concrete offers durability and forms the core structure of the enclosure, while wood provides warmth and comfort to the interiors. This combination highlights the aim of connecting with nature, making the retreat a restorative environment.

As light enters the yoga space, it dances across the wooden surfaces, creating a calming atmosphere that encourages visitors to engage fully with their 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
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