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Raw Timber Altar and Macrocarpa Louvres Enhance Meditation Retreat Experience

Author:
Mika Wylde
Raw Timber Altar and Macrocarpa Louvres Enhance Meditation Retreat Experience

Project in-detail

A raw-edged timber altar, sourced from the site, anchors the design of this meditation retreat, complemented by macrocarpa louvres that facilitate light and air flow while ensuring privacy within the serene environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Raw-edged timber altar created from a fallen tree onsite.
02
Macrocarpa louvres provide ventilation while aging to blend with the environment.
03
Reclaimed totara flooring adds historical significance and warmth to the interior.
04
Multiple meditation spaces designed for privacy and natural light exposure.
05
Small woodburner ensures comfort during cooler conditions.

The Kereru Retreat integrates meditation spaces with the surrounding landscape to create a calm environment. Located in a natural setting, the design provides areas for quiet reflection and mindfulness. It emphasizes a connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing users to engage with nature while they focus on personal growth.

Meditation Spaces

Multiple meditation areas feature louvre doors that open onto a spacious deck. This design encourages movement between indoor and outdoor environments, enhancing the overall experience with natural light and fresh air. The arrangement of these spaces is intentional, prioritizing privacy and peace, which are important for effective meditation practices.

Materials and Finishes

The cabin includes reclaimed totara flooring, which adds warmth and a sense of history. This choice creates a welcoming atmosphere. Macrocarpa louvres serve as functional screens that provide both ventilation and filtered light. The use of macrocarpa as a chemical-free alternative to treated timber highlights a commitment to sustainability in the design.

Unique Features

A notable element of the retreat is the altar made from a raw-edged timber slab found in the surrounding area. This feature connects the interior space to the natural environment outside. Additionally, the retreat includes a small woodburner for heating, which adds comfort during cooler weather while fitting well with the design.

Spatial Organization

The interior layout promotes a feeling of enclosure without sacrificing openness. The primary meditation space is complemented by raised timber floors that offer storage beneath. Clean aesthetics prevail, with timber-framed walls clad in macrocarpa and black stained ply interiors, creating a cohesive and harmonious connection to nature.

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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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