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Plywood Cabins Formed Around Lightwell and Stone Foundations

Authors:
Victor Paixão, Paula Sertório, Raphael Nogueira
Plywood Cabins Formed Around Lightwell and Stone Foundations

Project in-detail

Constructed with plywood panels and strategically designed lightwells, these cabins utilize stone foundations to create versatile spaces for wellness and meditation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using local plywood panels for effective thermal performance.
02
Features integrated lightwells that enhance natural lighting throughout the space.
03
Includes a contemplation garden designed for outdoor meditation and reflection.
04
Modular design allows for easy assembly and relocation on varied terrains.
05
Stone foundations elevate the structure, promoting airflow and reducing moisture.

The Prana Cabins are located in a natural setting, designed as a retreat focused on wellness and therapeutic practices. The project emphasizes energy efficiency and sustainability through a modular structure that decreases resource use and construction time. It seeks to connect with the environment, showcasing a design that offers flexible spaces for various activities.

Modularity and Spatial Configuration
The building consists of three distinct modules: the Base Module, Lightwell Module, and Balcony Module. The Base Module is the central component, allowing for adjustments in size to suit specific needs. The Lightwell Module brings in natural light and includes essential features like a washbasin and a solar battery. The Balcony Module provides access to the outdoors, enhancing airflow and encouraging interaction with the surroundings.

Material Selection
Materials were chosen to reflect local identity and availability. Internal partitions are made from plywood panels that offer good thermal and acoustic benefits. Ceramic tiles cover the roofs, providing durability and visual harmony. The external facade is built with cement and wood board (Viroc), ensuring stability and aesthetic continuity. The foundation is constructed with stone, linking the structure to its geographic setting.

Sustainability and Reusability
The project employs a dry construction method that promotes efficiency and reduces waste. Precise construction allows for the reuse of leftover materials in furniture or other projects, supporting sustainable practices. Additionally, the modular design makes it easy to dismantle, extending the life of materials beyond the building’s active use.

The design integrates outdoor meditation areas and gardens that encourage reflection and a deeper connection to nature. These features enhance the experience of the space, inviting users to engage with their environment.

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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
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