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Recycled Plastic Pillows and Fir Wood Create a Tranquil Retreat

Author:
Adrian mihai Irimia
Recycled Plastic Pillows and Fir Wood Create a Tranquil Retreat

Project in-detail

Utilizing fir wood and innovative inflated plastic pillows, the design creates a sustainable cabin that harmonizes with its environment and serves as a tranquil retreat for meditation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Built entirely without nails, screws, or glue, enhancing structural integrity.
02
Features innovative light-filtering elements made from recycled plastic for natural illumination.
03
Dual-purpose furniture design allows for versatile use throughout day and night.
04
Utilizes an interlocking construction method for a seamless and visual unity.
05
Designed to operate off-grid with a photovoltaic panel for sustainable energy needs.

The wooden cabin is set in a tranquil environment that invites peaceful reflection and connection with nature. It serves as a retreat designed for meditation, emphasizing both simplicity and functionality. The focus on fir wood as the primary material creates an inviting atmosphere that blends with the surrounding landscape. The design principles prioritize minimalism, allowing the occupants to experience serenity away from the distractions of daily life.

Structural Integrity
The cabin's construction employs an interlocking technique that enhances stability while minimizing the use of traditional fasteners like nails and screws. This method creates a strong framework that maintains a clean, unified appearance. By taking advantage of the natural qualities of wood, the design achieves both a reliable structure and an aesthetic that aligns with its purpose as a place for quiet contemplation.

Light Management
Natural light plays a crucial role in the cabin's interior. The design incorporates inflated recycled-plastic pillows that facilitate light entry, offering an alternative to typical glass elements. This choice promotes sustainability by utilizing repurposed materials, contributing to a reduced ecological footprint. The soft illumination enhances the overall ambiance, making the indoor environment feel open and welcoming.

Multifunctional Spaces
Inside the cabin, furniture is crafted for dual functionality, allowing it to serve various purposes throughout the day and night. This thoughtful approach maximizes the use of space, creating a flexible environment that adapts to the needs of its users. The layout encourages relaxing moments while fostering a deep sense of connection to the natural world outside.

The cabin also features a small photovoltaic panel positioned on external flaps to provide energy-efficient lighting. This addition supports self-sufficiency and aligns energy use with ecological values. The careful combination of practical design elements and sustainable practices shapes a wooden cabin that provides a calm oasis for reflection and a better understanding of one’s 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

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