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Reflective Glass Horn Integrating Tranquility and Privacy in a Small Cabin

Authors:
Christal Yohanes, Gerardo Leonard, Jovin Juan
Reflective Glass Horn Integrating Tranquility and Privacy in a Small Cabin

Project in-detail

The cabin's external glass horn, designed for optimal light reflection, seamlessly integrates with tranquil wooden interiors to create a meditative space that encourages deep connection with nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
The cabin incorporates a unique external glass horn that enhances light reflection.
02
It features triangular design elements that promote visual unity throughout the structure.
03
Natural wood finishes are used to create a warm, inviting interior atmosphere.
04
Strategic openings allow for varying lighting effects during different times of day.
05
The external toilet design aligns with the overall architectural narrative of harmony with nature.

Amidst is a cabin designed to encourage a reconnection with nature, set within a calm landscape that enhances its relationship with the environment. The project arises from the understanding that personal experiences shape who we are, often prompting moments of reflection. Amidst responds to this condition by providing a space that invites users to engage thoughtfully with their surroundings.

Architectural Concept

The design features abstract forms inspired by movements associated with meditation. This approach reflects an emphasis on calmness and contemplation. The layout includes fluid lines and geometric shapes, which work together to create a sense of harmony between the structure and the natural environment. Triangles are used as basic elements throughout the design, further promoting feelings of unity and balance.

Light and Space

Natural light is central to the cabin's design, achieved through multiple glass openings that allow daylight to enter freely. This choice not only enhances the spatial quality but also helps users connect with the changing light throughout the day. The integration of light with the interior space promotes a calming atmosphere, providing a setting suitable for reflection and relaxation.

Functional Elements

One distinctive aspect of Amidst is the external toilet, designed in a form reminiscent of a "glass horn." This feature provides functionality while maintaining alignment with the project's overall vision. The glass horn not only allows light to filter in but also creates an intriguing reflective effect that enhances the cabin's interior environment and encourages interaction with the landscape.

Materials and Textures

The materials selected for Amidst include wood and glass, both of which resonate with the natural world. Wood adds warmth and texture, connecting the interior spaces to the outdoors. Glass, on the other hand, offers transparency and openness, allowing for a visual and sensory bond with the surrounding area. These material choices contribute to the cabin's aim of creating a welcoming space that emphasizes proximity to nature.

The cabin’s angles and arrangements are carefully considered to provide views of the landscape while also maintaining privacy. This thoughtful design encourages personal moments of reflection without sacrificing the connection to the natural world.

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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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