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Natural Stone Walls and Glass Facades Harmoniously Blending Retreat Cabins Into a Sloped Landscape

Author:
Mark Talbot
Natural Stone Walls and Glass Facades Harmoniously Blending Retreat Cabins Into a Sloped Landscape

Project in-detail

Natural stone walls seamlessly integrate with the hillside, while large glass facades create a visual connection to the surrounding landscape, crafting a series of meditation cabins designed for tranquility and reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Natural stone retaining walls blend seamlessly with the hillside, enhancing site integration.
02
Large glass facades create expansive views and a strong connection to the environment.
03
Cross-laminated timber panels provide structural strength while offering sustainable material use.
04
Each cabin's layout supports both individual privacy and community interaction.
05
Roof gardens incorporate native vegetation to enhance biodiversity and insulation.
The Vale de Moses Meditation Cabins project is an architectural endeavor designed to serve as a retreat focused on wellness and mindfulness. This project integrates multiple cabins into a natural landscape, promoting user engagement with the surrounding environment while providing spaces conducive to meditation and relaxation. The overall layout emphasizes both individual privacy and opportunities for social interaction, reflecting the dual purpose of personal contemplation and community engagement.

Unique Design Approaches Enhancing Functionality

The architectural design employs several unique approaches that distinguish it from typical retreat projects. The cabins are strategically oriented to maximize views of the landscape while utilizing natural light effectively. Large glass windows facilitate a seamless connection to the outdoors, offering panoramic vistas that promote a sense of integration with the environment. This design decision highlights the importance of visibility and encourages users to engage with the natural world around them.

Additionally, the use of natural stone for retaining walls harmonizes with the geological context of the site. This material choice not only offers structural integrity but also enhances aesthetic coherence with the surrounding landscape. The cabins are designed to be partially embedded into the hillside, further blending with the terrain, which is often a challenge in conventional architecture. This approach ensures that the project has minimal visual impact while providing ample thermal mass for temperature control.

Sustainable Practices in Material Selection

Sustainability is another critical consideration within the Vale de Moses project. The design incorporates various eco-friendly materials—such as wood plank flooring and insulation materials including rigid mineral wool and fiberglass batt. These choices contribute to the overall energy efficiency of the cabins while maintaining comfort for the occupants. The thoughtful integration of roof gardens and native vegetation enhances ecological engagement, allowing the project to coexist with its natural surroundings.

Moreover, the interior layout of each cabin has been specifically crafted to encourage both private reflection and communal activities, with flexible spaces tailored for meditation and relaxation. This dual functionality is essential in providing a holistic experience for users, catering to diverse needs within the retreat setting.

For a more detailed exploration of the Vale de Moses Meditation Cabins project, including architectural plans, architectural sections, and architectural designs, readers are encouraged to view the full project presentation. Delving deeper into the architectural ideas and design elements will provide further insight into the intricacies and intentions behind this thoughtful retreat project.
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MICROHOME
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100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

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
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
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