5 key facts about this project
The Moses Meditation Cabins, located in Vale de Moses, Portugal, offer tranquil spaces designed for practices like yoga and meditation. The project presents a minimalist architectural approach focused on creating harmony between its structures and the natural surroundings.
Sustainable Integration
The cabins occupy an existing gravel terrace, reducing the need for extensive excavation that could disturb the landscape. Designed as four individual units, they can be positioned in various configurations while respecting the contours of the terrain. This thoughtful arrangement allows for a unique relationship between the built environment and nature, enhancing the overall experience.
Spatial Continuity
A significant feature of the design is the wooden deck platform that extends beyond the cabins. This feature encourages outdoor activities and fosters a connection to the environment. The overhanging roofs provide shade while allowing light to filter through a carefully designed wood screen. As the sun moves, the play of light in the interiors changes, enriching the experience inside.
Natural Ventilation
Windows are arranged at different heights and sizes to frame views of the valley landscape. This strategic placement enhances natural ventilation, allowing fresh air to flow through the cabins. The use of operable windows encourages interaction with the outside, while finishing the walls with natural cork provides additional sound and thermal insulation, contributing to a peaceful atmosphere.
Innovative Sustainability
The design includes solar panels on the roofs that ensure the cabins achieve net-zero energy use by powering LED lighting and outlets. A greywater system is incorporated for irrigation, allowing for the maintenance of a small herb garden. This not only promotes sustainability but also connects functional aspects with the natural environment.
Light filters through the perforated screens, casting patterns on the interior spaces and creating a warm, inviting ambiance that enhances the overall sense of calm within each cabin.