Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Polycarbonate Enclosure Embracing Wooden Pathways for Meditative Reflection

Authors:
Butnariu Georgiana, Butnariuc Clarisa elena
Polycarbonate Enclosure Embracing Wooden Pathways for Meditative Reflection

Project in-detail

A polycarbonate structure interwoven with wooden pathways offers a serene environment for meditation, highlighting the interplay of light and natural materials to enhance spiritual reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Meditative center emphasizes the Sahasrara chakra to enhance spiritual awareness.
02
Wooden slats create a guiding path that transitions through various natural textures.
03
Polycarbonate panels allow filtered light to permeate, contributing to a serene atmosphere.
04
Design features circular shells that balance openness with a sense of enclosure.
05
The layout reveals changing views of the valley, enriching user engagement with nature.

The Root combines nature and spirituality in a design that encourages self-reflection. Located in a peaceful landscape, it provides a space for meditation and contemplation. The architecture leads users from the outside world into a serene interior, illustrating a journey marked by personal and collective awareness. The presence of seven trees and seven chakra points symbolizes a deeper connection to both the environment and oneself.

Spatial Organization

A pathway created by wooden slats guides visitors through the site, revealing varying views of the surrounding valley. Each step brings new perspectives on the landscape, emphasizing a relationship between nature and the individual. At the heart of this journey is the Sahasrara, or crown chakra. This element represents pure consciousness, adding a layer of meaning to the overall design.

Materiality

Wood and polycarbonate sheets are the primary materials used in the construction. Wood provides the structural support, anchoring the design to the earth. Polycarbonate sheets wrap around the building, allowing soft light to enter the spaces. This combination of materials highlights an intention to create an environment that is both connected to nature and filled with light.

User Experience

Visitors experience a carefully planned journey as they move from solid surfaces like stone to the soft textures of grass. This transition enhances the feeling of connection with the landscape. The design features circular forms that create a balance between openness and shelter. This thoughtful arrangement promotes moments of quiet reflection while still engaging with the surroundings.

Light and Space

Light plays an essential role in shaping the atmosphere within The Root. The positioning of openings in the structure directs views toward key focal points in the landscape. Natural light filters through the polycarbonate panels, creating a peaceful setting suitable for meditation. The vertical elements of the design guide the eye upward, fostering a connection with both nature and the sky above.

The design of The Root is marked by its attention to space and movement. Each pathway invites exploration and encourages visitors to engage deeply with their environment. By blending natural elements with a focus on spirituality, the architecture creates a setting for contemplation and connection.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

`
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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy