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Rotating Ceiling and Colored Glass Enhance Introspection in Small Cabin

Author:
Moosa Silwadi
Rotating Ceiling and Colored Glass Enhance Introspection in Small Cabin

Project in-detail

A rotating ceiling paired with colored glass creates dynamic light and space in a cabin designed for meditation and personal reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rotating ceiling allows for ventilation and natural light control.
02
Colored glass elements create dynamic interior lighting effects.
03
Multi-level design enhances spatial experience and functionality.
04
Sustainable waste management promotes ecological responsibility.
05
Design tailored to the introspective nature of Latvian culture.

RESET is located in Latvia, designed to reflect the quiet nature of its people. The project consists of a cabin that connects closely with the environment, emphasizing a relationship between nature and the structure itself. The central idea of the design is circularity, which symbolizes the cycles of life and encourages a deep connection with the landscape around it.

Spatial Organization

The structure features a multi-level design, organized into four distinct areas, each serving a specific purpose. The Black Level, situated below 0.7 meters, includes essential living spaces such as a kitchen, a toilet, and storage solutions, making efficient use of the available area. The Gray Level at 0.7 meters offers extra storage. The White Level, at 1.3 meters, serves as a dedicated meditation space, creating a serene atmosphere for reflection and calm. The Red Level, at the top, houses a fireplace and water pump, providing warmth and functionality.

Structural Design

A key aspect of RESET is its ceiling, which is made from a framework of steel tubes. This design provides strength and serves an aesthetic function. The ceiling incorporates weatherproof wood and colored glass, allowing natural light to filter through and create a pleasant atmosphere inside. The innovative rotating mechanism enhances ventilation and offers adaptability to changing weather conditions, emphasizing the building's interaction with its environment.

Sustainable Features

The design includes a specially designed toilet system that separates waste to reduce odors. This system collects waste in compartments under the cabin, where it can be composted, promoting an eco-friendly approach. The layout of the site includes pathways connecting the Cabin, the Station, and the Lake, encouraging interaction with nature and creating a fulfilling experience in the outdoor setting. Water is sourced from the nearby lake, providing the cabin with self-sufficiency through a filtration system.

Materiality and Detail

The careful selection of materials supports the principles of sustainability and enhances the connection to nature. The ceiling combines colored glass and weatherproof wood, creating an appealing play of light within the cabin. This design choice enhances the experience of those using the space, aligning with the calm essence of the Latvian landscape, and resulting in a place that balances function and cultural significance.

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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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