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Sound Wall Retreat Built with Wood and Concrete for Mindful Living

Author:
Sarah Obtinalla
Sound Wall Retreat Built with Wood and Concrete for Mindful Living

Project in-detail

Constructed with a unique sound wall and sustainable materials, these cabins offer a dedicated space for silent meditation within a serene forest environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Custom sound wall enhances auditory experience by filtering external noise.
02
Dry toilet system promotes sustainability in remote forest settings.
03
Split-level design separates living and meditation spaces for focused mindfulness.
04
Rainwater collection system supports self-sufficiency for cabin use.
05
Large openings connect interior spaces directly to the surrounding forest.

Essense Cabins is designed for silent meditation in a peaceful forest setting. These cabins serve as short-term accommodations, providing a space tailored for mindfulness throughout the year. The design focuses on separating different sensory experiences, allowing visitors to engage deeply with nature while promoting relaxation and meditation.

Cabin Living

The ground level features amenities focused on comfort and day-to-day living. A front porch welcomes visitors, offering a space to transition between the outside world and the cabin interior. Inside, an entrance leads to essential facilities, including a heating pit that adds warmth and coziness. A dry toilet highlights a commitment to sustainability, ensuring minimal environmental impact. The layout supports practical living while embracing the surrounding natural beauty.

Mindful Living

The second level is dedicated to meditation and contemplation. Here, a meditation bench invites users to sit quietly and reflect on their surroundings. A sound wall is an important design feature, filtering unnecessary noise while enhancing the natural sounds of the forest. The space includes large openings, such as a balcony door, that connect the cabin to the outside. This integration helps create a tranquil environment that encourages a deeper connection with nature.

Sustainable Design

Sustainability is a core principle throughout the cabins. The design incorporates a rainwater collection system along with gravity-fed lighting, demonstrating an intention to minimize reliance on external resources. Concrete footings provide stability, ensuring the cabins perform well in various terrains. The choice of wood for the structure adds warmth and supports thermal comfort. These elements reflect a broader commitment to sustainable living practices.

Attention to detail enhances the connection between the cabins and their environment. Each space is crafted to invite visitors to experience the sights, sounds, and textures of the forest. The design encourages individuals to slow down and appreciate the natural world around them, fostering a sense of mindfulness that aligns with the purpose of the cabins.

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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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