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Reflective Aluminum Cabin With Interactive Light Panels

Author:
Xingchen Wang
Reflective Aluminum Cabin With Interactive Light Panels

Project in-detail

A polished aluminum cabin with controllable light panels elevates above the city, providing a reflective sanctuary designed for self-reflection and escape from urban distractions.
5 key facts about this project
01
Reflective polished aluminum exterior enhances privacy while integrating with the urban landscape.
02
Triangular form symbolizes balance and stability amid urban chaos.
03
Elevated design creates a physical and metaphorical refuge from distractions.
04
Controllable light panels respond to user interaction, allowing personalized experiences.
05
Interior hammock encourages relaxation and introspection within the compact space.

REGAIN is a cabin designed to explore memory, space, and the human experience in an urban setting. Its purpose is to offer a peaceful retreat amid the noisy and bustling city environment. The design concept is rooted in the architect's childhood memories of watching clouds and finding calmness in nature. This project aims to help individuals reconnect with those moments of tranquility, making it both a reflective and restorative space.

Design Concept

The cabin features an equilateral triangle structure with walls that reach a height of 3.5 meters and each side measuring three meters. This simple geometric form establishes a balanced relationship with the surrounding environment. The triangular shape stands in contrast to the complexity of urban life, inviting occupants to take part in a meditative experience.



Interactive Elements

The cabin has a unique elevated design, lifting it above ground level to create some distance from urban distractions. This elevation acts as a refuge, providing a space where users can retreat and reflect. A polished aluminum surface wraps the exterior, allowing the cabin to blend in with the urban landscape while providing a feeling of safety and privacy.



Natural Light Dynamics

Inside, the cabin features a hammock and three panels located on the roof. These panels open in response to the user's weight when the hammock is occupied, allowing natural light to flow into the otherwise dark space. This interaction creates an opportunity for users to control their experience, shaping how light enters and how the space feels. The relationship between the occupant and the environment becomes part of the experience.



Emotional Engagement

The design emphasizes the importance of natural light, enhancing the connection with the outside world. This dynamic of light and shadow adds to the atmosphere of the cabin, allowing for a wide range of emotional experiences. The upward movement of the panels shifts attention toward the sky, offering a brief escape from the city's constraints and encouraging moments of reflection.



The cabin’s straightforward form and interactive features promote a deeper appreciation for simplicity. It serves as a reminder of the peace that can be found in a chaotic world, encouraging occupants to pause and engage with both their surroundings and their inner thoughts.

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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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