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Rotating Columns and Solar Integration in a Nature-Focused Retreat

Author:
Na ra Park
Rotating Columns and Solar Integration in a Nature-Focused Retreat

Project in-detail

The interplay of rotating columns and integrated solar panels defines a retreat that enhances the connection to nature while offering a multifunctional space for contemplation and relaxation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rotating columns allow for customizable exposure to light and views.
02
Integrated solar panels provide renewable energy for lighting.
03
Ground-level patio features a built-in table for functionality.
04
The elevated floor edge enhances comfort for outdoor activities.
05
A dry toilet emphasizes sustainability in design choices.

The Treehouse project invites occupants to connect with nature through a carefully designed space. Set against a backdrop of greenery, the structure features a two-story layout where a glass room on the upper floor maximizes natural light. The design encourages reflection and interaction with the outdoors, creating a harmonious blend of comfort and tranquility.

Spatial Layout
The arrangement includes an upper-level glass room that offers expansive views of the landscape. Occupants can easily move between levels via a stairway, leading to a ground-floor patio. This layout promotes various activities, allowing users to enjoy both quiet moments indoors and engaging experiences outdoors.

Ground-Level Features
A wooden wall on the ground patio serves practical needs, featuring a built-in table and storage that complement the design. The wall adds warmth and functionality without creating clutter. There is also a restroom equipped with a dry toilet, highlighting the focus on sustainability and responsible design choices within the space.

Responsive Elements
One of the notable features is the rotating columns surrounding the patio. These columns can be adjusted, providing flexibility in how light and views enter the space. This responsiveness encourages users to tailor their experience based on personal preference and the shifting time of day.

Lighting Design
The project incorporates two circular glass rings that utilize transparent solar panels for illumination. These rings serve as effective light sources both day and night, while also integrating principles of renewable energy within the design. The inclusion of these elements reflects a commitment to sustainability without compromising aesthetic quality.

The play of light and shadow created by the rotating columns enhances the atmosphere, allowing occupants to feel a deeper connection to their environment as the day unfolds.

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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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