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Rammed Earth Walls and Natural Ventilation Amidst a Valley Retreat for Meditation

Authors:
Anais Gatesoupe, Noemie Gatesoupe, Cecile Elicagaray
Rammed Earth Walls and Natural Ventilation Amidst a Valley Retreat for Meditation

Project in-detail

Constructed with rammed earth walls and enhanced natural ventilation, the design provides a serene environment for meditation within the tranquil landscape of the Vale de Moses.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth walls provide thermal mass for climate control.
02
Folding windows create a seamless indoor-outdoor connection.
03
A central inertia wall links private and communal spaces.
04
An oculus above the entry enhances natural lighting.
05
The design incorporates a rainwater collection system.

The design situated in the "Vale de Moses" reflects the principle of Ahimsa, focusing on harmony and non-violence in relation to the environment. It is set among trees, creating the impression that the structure is floating within nature. Its purpose is to serve as a space for yoga and meditation, fostering a sense of calm and reflection for its users.

Conceptual Framework
The design aims to maintain the site's natural features. It comprises two interconnected forms that revolve around a prominent inertia wall. This wall links private areas with a shared yoga practice space, allowing for both community interaction and personal contemplation.

Entry Experience
Visitors enter through a rammed earth wall where light filters through an oculus above. This thoughtful design enhances the transition into the yoga shala, which features views of the valley. Folding wooden windows create a connection with the outdoors, letting natural elements enter the space while providing shelter.

Integration of Outdoor Spaces
The design includes a terrace that extends the yoga area into the outdoor environment. This terrace offers shelter from direct sunlight, making it a comfortable spot for relaxation and contemplation. It encourages interaction with the landscape, deepening the connection between the space and its surroundings.

Material Considerations
Materials play a vital role in the overall design. Rammed earth walls provide durability and thermal comfort, while the wooden post-beam structure adds warmth to interiors. The design also features moucharaby mud bricks for natural ventilation, adapting to seasonal changes. Furthermore, a corrugated roof collects rainwater, highlighting a commitment to sustainability.

An essential aspect of the entry experience is the diagonal passage through the rammed earth wall, leading visitors into the spacious practice area, reinforcing a feeling of immersion in the natural surroundings.

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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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