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Rounded Forms and Sustainable Materials Enhance Wellness Retreat Experience

Authors:
Baiba Ruke, Ligita Brege
Rounded Forms and Sustainable Materials Enhance Wellness Retreat Experience

Project in-detail

Constructed with rounded forms and sustainable materials like hemp and cork, the yoga house is designed to enhance mindfulness and well-being in a serene cliffside setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed on a cliff for panoramic mountain views.
02
Incorporates rounded forms to support energy flow during yoga.
03
Utilizes hemp and cork for eco-friendly insulation.
04
Features dual entrances for changing rooms to enhance privacy.
05
Surrounding landscape designed as a tranquil garden for meditation.

Surya Namaskar Yoga House is located on a cliff in Vale De Moses, serving as a space for yoga and meditation. The design reflects a deep respect for sunlight and the surrounding landscape, creating a harmonious experience for users. This approach supports interaction with nature while providing a peaceful environment for personal reflection.

Design and Orientation

The yoga house is positioned to take advantage of stunning mountain views and sunlight, which enters primarily in the evening. This orientation plays a crucial role in shaping both the layout and atmosphere of the space. The relationship between light and shadow is central to the design, leading to interior spaces that feel alive and change throughout the day.

Form and Layout

The shape of the building features smooth, rounded forms that encourage energy flow, essential for yoga practices. The absence of sharp edges contributes to a calming atmosphere, promoting both physical and emotional movement within the space. The layout is aimed at fostering a strong connection with the natural surroundings, allowing light to brighten the interiors and enhance the overall sense of tranquility.

Materials and Sustainability

Sustainability is a key focus, with careful material choices for both functionality and environmental impact. The main structure is built with timber, providing durability while keeping it lightweight. Insulation is achieved using hemp and cork, which offer good thermal properties and support eco-friendly design. The interior walls are clad in wooden paneling, contributing warmth, whereas cedar shingles cover the exterior, blending the building into its forested setting.

Interior Elements and Functionality

Inside, large windows provide clear views of the outside, inviting nature into the user experience. The yoga room can accommodate up to 28 individuals and features changing rooms fitted with lockers and dual entrances for accessibility. These thoughtful design elements ensure easy movement and privacy, facilitating a smooth transition for practitioners. The surrounding landscape includes a garden area, designed for quiet walks after yoga sessions, further enhancing the reflective nature of the experience.

The overall design prioritizes a balance between modern requirements and a connection to the environment, resulting in a calm space that promotes mindfulness and personal growth.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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