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Photovoltaic Glass Pavilion Enabling Meditation Overlooking Nature

Author:
Ashraf Abdalla
Photovoltaic Glass Pavilion Enabling Meditation Overlooking Nature

Project in-detail

Positioned on a cliff, the design incorporates transparent photovoltaic glass and a decreasing square form to create a serene environment that supports meditation and wellness.
5 key facts about this project
01
Positioned on a cliff to maximize natural views and light.
02
Incorporates transparent photovoltaic glass for enhanced energy efficiency.
03
Features a decreasing square form that symbolizes meditation.
04
Includes Sun Breakers to manage sunlight and reduce glare inside.
05
Designed as a cohesive environment that promotes wellness and reflection.

The Yoga House on a Cliff is designed to connect people with nature. It is situated on a cliff, providing views that enhance the sense of peace and quiet. This space serves as a retreat for wellness and meditation, focusing on creating a relaxing environment where visitors can unwind. The overall design seeks to balance openness with privacy, allowing for personal reflection while encouraging a sense of community.

Spatial Organization

The layout on the ground floor at level 440.80 includes several functional areas. These spaces feature a yoga hall, a kitchenette, and essential amenities like showers and toilets. The arrangement allows visitors to move easily between indoor facilities and the outdoor garden. This thoughtful design promotes fluidity, making it effortless for users to transition from one area to another.

Visual Strategy

The project uses a specific visual strategy that includes a form that gradually decreases, symbolizing the journey into meditation. This geometric approach fosters a calming atmosphere. It also creates clear sightlines that connect different spaces, helping visitors find their way and feel oriented in the environment. This way, the design encourages a deeper engagement with the space.

Material Application

Transparent Photovoltaic Glass is a significant material used in the building. It improves energy efficiency and allows plenty of natural light to enter the interior. Secured glass is applied to enhance safety while preserving visual openness. Sun Breakers are included to control sunlight, reducing glare and maintaining comfort inside the building. These materials work together to ensure a bright and inviting space.

Design Integration

The overall architecture responds thoughtfully to the unique location on the cliff. The design prioritizes the experience of the users while ensuring cohesion between various elements. The mass plan is well conceived, placing each functional area in relation to the others. This careful arrangement allows for both personal reflection and a connection to the surrounding nature.

The outcome is a space that encourages visitors to connect with the outdoor environment. It provides opportunities for quiet contemplation and fosters a deep appreciation for the landscape, all while supporting the need for personal reflection and community engagement.

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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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