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Natural Light Pavilion Crafted from Local Wood in a Forest Retreat

Author:
Iulia maria Popa
Natural Light Pavilion Crafted from Local Wood in a Forest Retreat

Project in-detail

Crafted from local wood and featuring expansive glazing, the microhome offers a tranquil retreat that seamlessly connects its occupants with the surrounding forest landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted entirely from locally sourced wood, minimizing transportation impact.
02
Extensive glass openings enhance natural light and connect the interior to the landscape.
03
The layout prioritizes open flow, creating a sense of spaciousness in a compact footprint.
04
Integrates energy-efficient features, reducing reliance on artificial lighting and heating.
05
Designed to foster introspection and tranquility within a forest environment.

The microhome provides a retreat from city life, located in a forest landscape that invites peace and connection to nature. Designed with minimalism in mind, the focus is on sustainability and creating strong links between the interior and the outside world. The layout allows for a comfortable living experience while promoting a sense of tranquility.

Design Intent

The intention behind the design is to foster self-reflection through minimal interior space. The arrangement of the microhome is open, encouraging movement and interaction between different areas. This layout brings in natural light effectively, enhancing the feeling of spaciousness. The relationship with the surrounding landscape is an important aspect of the design, allowing the home to blend with its environment.

Natural Integration

One key feature is the extensive use of glass, which blurs the lines between inside and outside. Large windows create a connection with the forest, letting in light and offering views of nature. This integration with the environment also reduces the need for artificial lighting during the day, making the home more energy-efficient and comfortable.

Material Selection

The choice of materials supports these sustainability goals. Local wood is used throughout, minimizing the environmental impact associated with transporting materials over long distances. High-quality glass is utilized for windows and openings, which helps manage indoor temperatures while providing a strong visual link to the surroundings.

The design culminates in a space that is both cozy and functional, allowing occupants to truly experience the natural world just outside their windows. Each element is carefully considered, resulting in a harmonious environment that encourages peace and reflection while maintaining a practical living space.

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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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