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Natural Stone and Timber Retreat for Contemplation and Community

Authors:
Joseph Rice, aia, Julia Ward, aia
Natural Stone and Timber Retreat for Contemplation and Community

Project in-detail

Constructed with natural stone and vertical wood siding, the retreat fosters a serene environment for meditation and community gatherings, integrating seamlessly into its surroundings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with a combination of vertical wood siding and rough field stone.
02
Features a two-way fireplace that connects the meditation room to communal areas.
03
Designed with an entry courtyard that promotes a tranquil transition into the building.
04
Incorporates thermally broken windows to enhance energy efficiency and natural light.
05
Includes a dedicated altar space, emphasizing the project's spiritual focus.

The KIWI Meditation Cabin is a carefully designed space located within a natural setting, meant to provide a place for quiet reflection and meditation. The cabin focuses on integrating with its surroundings while ensuring that users can fully engage with the environment. The design concept aims to create areas that support both personal contemplation and community discussions, addressing the increasing demand for spaces that facilitate spiritual practices.

Architectural Layout

The layout of the KIWI Meditation Cabin features a central meditation room, which acts as the main area of the structure. This arrangement allows for easy movement from the entry courtyard into the interior. The connection created between the outside world and the meditative space is intentional and promotes a calming atmosphere. Important elements like the entrance, altar, fireplace, and bench are placed strategically throughout the cabin, enhancing its usability while fostering a peaceful environment.

Material Considerations

The choice of materials significantly shapes the character of the cabin. Vertical wood siding adds warmth and a natural feel, making the building feel at home within the surrounding landscape. The use of rough field stone enhances the overall texture and appearance, grounding the structure within its environment. Heavy timber beams and columns provide robust structural support while adding a sense of stability. A standing seam metal roof introduces a modern element to the building. Thermally broken windows and doors not only allow light to enter but also keep the space energy-efficient, offering views that connect the interior with nature.

Elevational Analysis

The cabin's various elevations—northwest, southeast, northeast, and southwest—show a well-balanced architectural design that respects the landscape. Each elevation is designed with careful attention to proportion and detailing. This approach results in a visual identity that feels unified and harmonious with the natural surroundings, allowing the structure to coexist comfortably with the environment.

Design Features

Key design features, such as the two-way fireplace, serve as important focal points within the cabin. This fireplace enhances the connection between different areas, adding warmth and promoting social interaction. The arrangement of spaces and attention to specific details contribute to an environment that encourages meditation and communal activities.

A combination of vertical wood siding and rough field stone creates a tactile experience for users, offering a visual depth that enhances the journey through the cabin. As visitors move inside, they are greeted with a calming setting that invites quiet moments of reflection.

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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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