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A GEOMETRIC INSTALLATION FOR DESERT REFLECTION

Author:
Marco Tosone
A GEOMETRIC INSTALLATION FOR DESERT REFLECTION

Project in-detail

Set within a remote desert landscape, the installation engages with the surrounding geology through a restrained formal language and material palette. It is conceived as a space for reflection and observation, where geometric structures frame the vastness of the environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Reflective glass elements create dynamic visual interactions with the surrounding desert landscape.
02
Polished concrete pathways enhance durability while facilitating movement and contemplation.
03
Local stone integrates the installation with its geological context, emphasizing place-based design.
04
Geometric forms encourage exploration and personal reflection within the spatial layout.
05
Native vegetation is incorporated to support local biodiversity and environmental sustainability.

Located within a desert terrain defined by expansive rock formations, the project functions as a contemplative installation that examines the intersection of geometric form and natural landscape. The spatial arrangement invites personal reflection while fostering physical engagement with the surrounding environment. Through a minimal formal vocabulary, the design establishes a quiet presence that encourages visitors to navigate, observe, and pause within the arid context.

Spatial Composition and Material Strategy
The configuration consists of a circular platform, a rectangular mirror plane, and a series of conical volumes. Each element contributes to a spatial sequence that supports both individual introspection and communal gathering. Polished concrete surfaces provide durability under extreme climatic conditions and enhance the installation’s relationship with light and shadow. A glass mirror panel introduces an optical dimension, capturing and reframing the landscape through reflection. Natural stone is employed to ground the composition in the geological context, reinforcing a sense of place.

Environmental Integration and User Experience
The project emphasizes ecological responsiveness through material selection and landscape intervention. Corten steel components introduce weathered textures that harmonize with the surrounding topography, while native plantings are integrated to support site-specific biodiversity. Circulation paths are defined to guide movement across and around the installation, offering multiple perspectives and spatial encounters. The interplay between mass and void allows for a range of experiential possibilities, including informal gathering, artistic display, and solitary retreat.

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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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