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Skylit Huts With Natural Timber and Private Garden Spaces

Authors:
Anu Rao, Krishna Salim, Ranjith Akkarathodi
Skylit Huts With Natural Timber and Private Garden Spaces

Project in-detail

Featuring skylights and natural timber construction, the huts offer private outdoor garden spaces designed for quiet reflection and creativity among poets and artists.
5 key facts about this project
01
Each hut features skylights that enhance natural light and plant growth.
02
Timber construction reflects local architectural traditions while providing sustainability.
03
Private garden spaces foster a direct connection to the surrounding rainforest.
04
The design includes communal areas encouraging social interaction among users.
05
Strategically placed balcony decks create seamless transitions between indoors and outdoors.

The Thinking Huts project offers creative spaces designed specifically for poets and artists. Located in a tropical rainforest, these huts provide a quiet retreat that encourages deep thinking and artistic expression. The design prioritizes comfort and privacy while maintaining a strong connection to the natural surroundings. Each hut becomes a personal sanctum, allowing users to engage fully with their creativity.

Design Concept

The design concept focuses on creating an environment that promotes tranquility and inspiration. Huts are strategically placed to offer privacy while providing views of the lush landscape. Entering through balcony decks enhances the experience, making the transition from the outdoor world to the interior feel special. The layout of the huts is intuitive, inviting occupants to connect with their surroundings.



Spatial Arrangement

Inside, the huts feature open spaces that blur the lines between indoor and outdoor environments. This design allows for indoor gardens, where natural light plays a key role. Skylights above the toilets let sunlight filter in, supporting both the plants and the occupants’ well-being. The aim is to create nurturing spaces that celebrate the essence of nature while fostering a sense of comfort.



Material Selection

Timber, stone, and glass are the main materials used in the construction of the huts. Timber provides warmth and sustainability, connecting the structures with the local environment. Stone adds durability and helps create a rugged charm that fits the setting. Glass is used thoughtfully, offering transparency that enhances the connection to the outside while ensuring privacy.



Social Interaction

The design encourages social interaction through shared areas. Spaces like the Hot Spot invite visitors to gather and connect with one another. These communal areas balance the secluded nature of the huts, supporting both personal reflection and group engagement. This duality reflects a comprehensive approach to the needs of the users, allowing for both solitude and community.



A notable design feature is the integration of greenery, both inside and out. Plants are carefully placed to enhance the design while promoting a calming atmosphere. This element ensures that the Thinking Huts are not just structures, but also extensions of the rich forest that surrounds them, creating a harmonious place for creativity and reflection.

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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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