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Rainwater and Sacred Geometry in a Timber Meditation Retreat

Authors:
Laima Cijunskaite, Aiste Rakauskaite, Julia Panova
Rainwater and Sacred Geometry in a Timber Meditation Retreat

Project in-detail

Incorporating sacred geometry and rainwater management, the timber structure serves as a peaceful meditation cabin, blending seamlessly with its natural surroundings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Sacred geometry influences the cabin's form and layout.
02
A bioswale directs rainwater away from the structure while enhancing the landscape.
03
Rotating windows facilitate natural cross-ventilation throughout the space.
04
The altar doubles as movable furniture for flexible interior arrangements.
05
The high roof volume maximizes passive solar heating with abundant daylight.

The Tiny Kiwi Meditation Cabin is a thoughtfully designed space located in a quiet area where people can escape to meditate and reflect. It focuses on simplicity and a strong connection with nature, inviting users to find tranquility and clarity. The design revolves around the principles of sacred geometry, which fosters a sense of balance and harmony that supports personal introspection.

Architecture Concept

Sacred geometry shapes the building's overall design, seen in its rectangular floor plan and triangular roof. This form not only provides visual interest but also helps create an interior space that encourages mindfulness and calmness. The cabin’s layout encourages a dialogue between the indoors and the surrounding environment, letting users engage with nature while they meditate.



Natural Ventilation and Light

This cabin features rotating windows that allow for natural ventilation. Fresh air can easily flow through the space, ensuring comfort for those inside. The high roof effectively captures sunlight, which keeps the interior bright and warm. Additionally, the roof’s angle on the north side maximizes daylight, promoting energy efficiency and reducing the need for artificial lighting and heating.



Water Management and Landscape Integration

An important aspect of the design is how it manages rainwater. Water that runs off the roof feeds into a mini bioswale located around the cabin. This feature connects those inside to the natural water cycle, offering a visual reminder of their surroundings. The plants in the bioswale soften the cabin's edges and support local plant life, reinforcing the connection to the natural landscape.



Functional Flexibility

The cabin includes a multifunctional altar for drying flowers, which adds flexibility to the space. This piece of furniture can be moved around easily, allowing users to change the layout as needed and follow the sun’s path throughout the day. This enhances the practicality of the cabin, allowing each user to tailor their environment for meditation and connection with nature.



As natural light streams in through large windows, it creates shifting patterns across the interior, contributing to an atmosphere that encourages reflection and peace.

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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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