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Reflective Retreat With Pinewood Structure and Double Mirror Elements

Authors:
Marco Di pisa, Daphne Tarantino, Silvia Albano, Marianna Di Salvo
Reflective Retreat With Pinewood Structure and Double Mirror Elements

Project in-detail

With its innovative use of double mirror elements and a pinewood structure, the retreat offers a unique space for meditation that enhances the connection between users and their natural surroundings.
5 key facts about this project
01
The entrance is defined by the removal of a facade, creating a unique threshold between inside and outside.
02
The building’s angular framework symbolizes continuous growth and connection to nature.
03
Mirrors on the roof reflect both the landscape and sky, enhancing the visual dialogue with the environment.
04
A net terrace is designed specifically for meditation, allowing users to gaze into the horizon.
05
Lighting is exclusively created using candles within colored globes to engage chromotherapy.

Gemma is located in a natural setting and serves as a space designed for meditation and self-reflection. The project draws inspiration from the features of gems and crystals, focusing on the connection between nature and people. The structure encourages mindfulness, inviting occupants to engage with both their surroundings and their inner selves.

Framework and Geometry

The design includes a framework that resembles a crystal with different angles, symbolizing continuous growth and a bond with the environment. This geometry enriches the visual experience and enhances how light interacts within the space. Mirrors cover the sloped roof, reflecting the surrounding landscape and sky, which creates a visual dialogue between the building and its natural context.

Spatial Organization

In the ground floor, areas are allocated for meditation and daily activities. This arrangement supports community interaction and individual contemplation. A central staircase leads to an upper terrace that provides an outdoor space meant for enjoying nature. A unique feature of the terrace is a net designed for meditation, allowing users to gaze toward the horizon and connect with the expansive sky.

Materiality and Interior Experience

The entrance is made by removing one of the facades. This design choice creates a threshold that defines the transition from the outside world to the inviting warmth of the interior space. Inside, tatami mats are used for flooring. These mats are chosen for their thermal insulation and the calming scent they bring, contributing to an atmosphere suited for meditation.

Light and Ambiance

At the tip of the structure, a double transparent mirror is incorporated, which allows light to penetrate the building while maintaining internal warmth. Candles placed within colored globes provide a unique lighting experience that engages the senses and supports different forms of meditation. The way light is handled adds depth to the users' interaction with the space, enriching their experience as they pursue mindfulness.

The interplay of light and material creates a tranquil and inviting space, where users can reflect and find peace amidst their 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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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