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Sensory Experience Through Slanted Roofs and Natural Elements in a Retreat Setting

Authors:
Alyna Karachiwala, Estefania Serrano
Sensory Experience Through Slanted Roofs and Natural Elements in a Retreat Setting

Project in-detail

Slanted roofs guide rainwater into forebays while the cabins draw inspiration from natural tree forms, offering a unique meditation experience that harmonizes wellness with the surrounding landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rainwater is captured through angled roofs, enhancing sustainability.
02
The cabins are inspired by tree forms, integrating nature into design.
03
Distinct areas for dry and wet meditation create varied experiences.
04
Forebays are utilized for effective rainwater management.
05
Natural light is filtered through roofs, creating dynamic interior atmospheres.

The Waterfall Cabins are situated in the quiet setting of the Vale De Moses retreat, which features a mix of hot summers and cold, rainy winters. The design includes two distinct modules for meditation: the Dry Cabin and the Wet Cabin. Each unit offers a unique experience that connects users to the natural features of the environment, serving primarily as spaces for relaxation and wellness.

Dry Cabin
The Dry Cabin focuses on creating a connection between visitors and their surroundings. It includes spaces designed for yoga and massage, promoting relaxation and mental clarity. This cabin invites users to engage with both their inner selves and their natural surroundings in a peaceful setting.


Wet Cabin
The Wet Cabin highlights the soothing qualities of water. It serves as a bath and spa, allowing visitors to meditate and unwind through direct contact with water. The design brings the calming presence of water into the retreat experience, creating an environment conducive to introspection and tranquility.


Sustainability and Structural Design
Both cabins have been designed with sustainability in mind. They feature a rainwater management system, with slanted roofs that catch and direct rainfall into forebays. This functionality supports ecological practices while adding layers of auditory and visual experience. Additionally, the structures are inspired by trees, with elements that filter light and vertical supports mimicking tree trunks. This design choice helps integrate the cabins into the surrounding landscape.


The careful placement of windows allows natural light to filter through, while the sound of water enhances the atmosphere, encouraging visitors to connect with nature. The Waterfall Cabins serve as a retreat where design and environment come together to create a simple, restorative experience.

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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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