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Natural Ventilation and Thermal Mass Enhance Community Wellness in Sustainable Building

Authors:
Mohammad reza Ganjali bonjar, Pooya Noori
Natural Ventilation and Thermal Mass Enhance Community Wellness in Sustainable Building

Project in-detail

With a focus on natural ventilation and the thermal mass of stone, the design promotes energy efficiency and indoor air quality while serving as a multifunctional space for yoga and community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Designed with a high window-to-wall ratio for optimal daylighting.
02
Incorporates rainwater harvesting systems for sustainable water management.
03
Utilizes thermal mass from stone to regulate indoor temperatures.
04
Features natural ventilation strategies to enhance air quality.
05
Promotes community engagement through flexible, multipurpose spaces.

The Passive Yoga House is situated in a serene environment focused on wellness and sustainability. Designed for yoga practice and community activities, it emphasizes accessibility and interaction among users. The overall concept aims to blend the building with its natural surroundings while utilizing passive design principles to foster physical and mental health.

Material Selection

In this project, specific materials are chosen for their thermal performance and low environmental impact. Wood serves as a primary insulating material, helping maintain comfortable conditions with a thermal conductivity of 0.14 W/(MK). Stone contributes further to regulating temperature, using its thermal mass to absorb and release heat as needed. The use of thermal insulation, which has a conductivity of 0.038 W/(MK), strengthens the overall energy efficiency of the structure. Gypsum is also included in the design, enhancing the thermal management of the spaces.

Passive Design Strategies

Various passive design strategies are integral to how this building functions. The southern façade features a high window-to-wall ratio, allowing ample sunlight and warmth into the interior. This careful orientation maximizes natural light, reducing the need for artificial lighting. Natural ventilation is utilized to ensure air flows freely throughout the spaces without the need for mechanical systems. This approach supports better indoor air quality, which is essential for creating a healthy environment.

Water Management

Effective water management is a critical aspect of the design, addressing drainage needs and water flow efficiently. The incorporation of water tanks allows for rainwater collection, which decreases the reliance on external water sources. This feature aligns with the building's ecological goals, demonstrating a commitment to responsible resource management through thoughtful design.

Large glass panels on the façade connect the interior with the outdoor landscape. These openings provide expansive views, inviting nature inside while flooding the yoga studio with natural light. This design choice enhances the overall atmosphere, creating a bright and inviting space that encourages relaxation and mindfulness during practice.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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