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Rainwater Collector Cabin with Glass Panels and Flower Altar

Author:
Maja Petrovic
Rainwater Collector Cabin with Glass Panels and Flower Altar

Project in-detail

Incorporating a rainwater collector alongside a flower processing altar, the cabin emphasizes elemental connections while providing a serene space for meditation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Integrates four elemental niches representing air, earth, fire, and water.
02
Rainwater collection system enhances sustainability and user experience.
03
Features a glass partition that allows sight and sound of flowing water.
04
Cabin design includes a fireplace protected by glass panels for safety.
05
Utilizes local wooden materials for construction, promoting ecological balance.

The TINY KIWI MEDITATION CABIN is located in a quiet natural setting, designed to promote spiritual and mental health. Focusing on a design concept that connects with the environment, the cabin serves as a meditation space where individuals can explore their inner thoughts while surrounded by nature.

Form and Spatial Arrangement

The building features a cubic shape that is enhanced by the merging and rotation of two cubes. This layout creates an interior meditation area with dimensions of 5.5 meters, allowing enough room for people to engage with one another and their surroundings. The design includes four niches, each representing one of the four classical elements: air, earth, fire, and water. This arrangement helps create a thoughtful space centered around these elemental themes.

Elemental Integration

The entrance signifies air with sliding glass doors, eliminating barriers and providing easy access to the outdoor surroundings. A fireplace, the only masonry element in the cabin, is located to the left of the entrance. It is shielded by glass panels, ensuring safety while offering warmth. Directly across from the entrance is a flower processing altar that symbolizes earth, designed to support the growth of herbs and deepen the connection to nature.

Building Features

The roof is designed to slope inward and is lowered on one side to capture rainwater effectively. Natural light and airflow are enhanced by upper wall windows, which allow warm air to escape, making the interior comfortable. The structure uses wooden elements that include columns, beams, and walls made from wood trunks. The flooring is covered with rattan, providing a comfortable surface suitable for meditation.

User Experience

The layout allows for four participants to sit in the corners of the meditation space, which helps them engage with the elemental themes represented. The instructor’s central position offers clear visibility, reinforcing the importance of guidance during meditation. This arrangement fosters interaction among participants and encourages an atmosphere of calmness and reflection.

The sound of flowing water from the rainwater collector enhances the experience. It adds a calming backdrop that supports a peaceful environment where individuals can focus on their meditation practice.

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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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