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Rammed Earth Retreat Embracing the Heart Chakra in a Cliffside Setting

Authors:
Fernando Valdez lópez, Omar karim Carmona nuñez, Joel alejandro Sánchez martínez, Mariel de abril Salinas hernández
Rammed Earth Retreat Embracing the Heart Chakra in a Cliffside Setting

Project in-detail

Rammed earth walls create a grounding presence in this cliffside retreat, designed around the heart chakra to promote communal and individual meditation practices.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth construction enhances thermal performance and sustainability.
02
Meditation room accommodates 30 practitioners and two instructors.
03
Sloping roofs allow for effective rainwater collection.
04
Design emphasizes the heart chakra for spiritual and personal growth.
05
Zen gardens integrate nature and promote contemplation within the space.

The Pathless Yoga House on a Cliff is situated in a dramatic natural landscape, designed to support spiritual growth and community wellness. Emphasizing the principles of the heart chakra, the building creates an environment that encourages personal reflection and social interaction. The overall design connects users to both their inner selves and the surrounding nature, making the space suitable for yoga and meditation practices.

Spatial Organization

Inside, the layout is carefully arranged to lead users on a journey through different areas. The varying heights of the spaces create distinct feelings, moving from cozy, intimate rooms to larger, airy environments. The meditation room is the highlight, intended to foster a sense of openness and freedom as practitioners engage in meditation. This design approach promotes both individual contemplation and group participation, allowing for a varied experience.

Functional Program

The yoga house includes several important spaces that cater to both community and private needs. These spaces are a storage room, restrooms, a kitchen, dressing rooms, and quiet Zen gardens, alongside the main meditation room. The meditation area is large enough to accommodate 30 participants and two instructors, supporting group practices while still allowing for moments of solitude. The building features clear circulation paths that enhance accessibility, ensuring an easy flow from one space to another.

Sustainability and Materiality

Sustainability is a key aspect of the design, evident in the use of sloped roofs. These roofs help manage sunlight and enable a rainwater collection system, reflecting an ecological focus. The primary material is rammed earth, selected for its structural stability and environmental benefits. Using locally sourced soil minimizes the carbon footprint and provides good thermal insulation, creating a comfortable environment for users.

The incorporation of gardens throughout the site deepens the connection between the building and its landscape. These green spaces serve as areas for quiet reflection, enriching the overall experience. The design carefully balances architectural form with its natural surroundings, offering a retreat that invites users to engage with both themselves and the earth.

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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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