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Pivoting Macrocarpa Panels Enhance a Tranquil Meditation Space

Author:
Cam Wilson
Pivoting Macrocarpa Panels Enhance a Tranquil Meditation Space

Project in-detail

With five pivoting Macrocarpa panels that adjust exposure to the environment, the design creates a harmonious meditation space immersed in the natural landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Five pivoting panels allow flexible interaction with the surroundings.
02
Aquamarine interior color enhances the calming atmosphere.
03
Timber and polycarbonate partition serves as an altar for natural remedies.
04
Rainwater harvesting tank supports sustainable practices.
05
Stained glass elements create a serene play of light indoors.

The Beehive Box stands in the beautiful New Zealand countryside and serves as a space for meditation and wellness. Inspired by traditional beehive boxes, it combines practicality with visual appeal. The design invites interaction with the natural surroundings while providing a tranquil retreat for reflection.

Design Concept
The design of The Beehive Box focuses on flexibility and user connection to the landscape. Five large pivoting panels allow people to change their exposure to the outdoors, creating a link between the inside and outside. The prominent west elevation, covered with a brightly painted rainscreen, not only protects the structure but also makes it noticeable in the landscape.

Interior Atmosphere
When visitors enter the Beehive Box, they see a calming aquamarine color that covers the floor, walls, and ceilings. This color creates a peaceful environment, ideal for mindfulness activities. A key feature is the partition made from timber and polycarbonate. It offers privacy and lets in diffused natural light, acting also as a space for processing natural remedies. This element fits well within the overall design.

Functional Layout
The layout of the interior is designed for wellness activities such as meditation and yoga. The meditation space has warm plywood paneling and windows that let in natural light, enhancing the serene atmosphere. Stained glass adds soft, colorful light to the space, enriching the experience for those inside.

Sustainable Design
Sustainability is an important aspect of the Beehive Box. The design includes a rainwater harvesting tank, supporting self-sufficiency in water use. There is dedicated storage for yoga mats, towels, and tea-making supplies, emphasizing the focus on wellness. The choice of durable materials like Macrocarpa for the rainscreen, alongside decorative battens and waterproof membranes, shows a commitment to strength and longevity in construction.

When the pivoting panels are opened, they create a direct connection between the peaceful interior and the lively natural landscape, allowing fresh air to flow in and enriching the experience for users.

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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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