Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Ropes and Wood Create a Solitary Retreat for Meditation in a Forest Setting

Author:
Halil Baha Akyar
Ropes and Wood Create a Solitary Retreat for Meditation in a Forest Setting

Project in-detail

Suspended between trees using ropes, a solitary structure offers a unique space for meditation, harmonizing with the forest environment and promoting introspection through its simple, yet effective design.
5 key facts about this project
01
Ropes from surrounding trees serve as the primary structural support.
02
The design provides a single-occupancy space for focused meditation.
03
Located in an area devoid of ground-level greenery, enhancing the meditative experience.
04
Integration with local flora, including herbs and flowers used for tea production.
05
Double-layered ropes protect against various weather conditions.

The Meditation Cocoon is located in a densely wooded area where trees reach heights of over five meters. The design emphasizes a close relationship between the structure and the environment, promoting meditation as a meaningful practice. It offers a space for individuals to reflect and connect with nature, fostering a sense of calm.

Site Context

The site is characterized by its lack of green texture between the forest floor and five meters above. This choice of location enhances the experience of meditation, allowing users to immerse themselves in the surroundings. The presence of local herbs and flowers, used for tea production, adds layers of significance and enhances the connection between the structure and the local ecosystem. This approach supports a focus on mindfulness and a deeper engagement with the environment.

Cocoon Concept

The cocoon embodies an idea of personal growth and protection. It offers a safe space for individuals to retreat from the outside world and enter a state of reflection. Designed for one person, the cocoon encourages solitary meditation practices. This intimate setting fosters a strong bond between the user and the natural world, enabling a clearer path to personal insight.

Structural Integration

The cocoon's design incorporates primary ropes sourced from nearby trees to create its main framework. This method ensures that the structure is connected with its environment. Additional secondary ropes are used to separate areas within the cocoon, allowing for lying, sitting, or standing. This flexible arrangement supports various ways of engaging with the space, catering to different meditation practices.

Environmental Resilience

The design takes into account various environmental factors. Double-layered ropes shield the interior from rain, snow, wind, and insects. This focus on resilience enhances the comfort of users while they contemplate in a secure environment. Furthermore, the structure's ability to hang from three or four trees helps minimize harm to the forest floor, reinforcing its relationship with the site.

Through careful consideration of its surroundings and user experience, the Meditation Cocoon illustrates the thoughtful balance between built space and natural elements. The design prioritizes ecological awareness and personal reflection, creating a unique environment for meditation.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

`
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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy