Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Spruce Cabins Inspired by Tea Leaf Forms for Mindful Retreats

Authors:
Ben (chieh-min) Chang, Shaz (razieh) Nasiri
Spruce Cabins Inspired by Tea Leaf Forms for Mindful Retreats

Project in-detail

Inspired by the proportions of tea leaves, the design integrates local spruce timber to create serene cabins that promote mindfulness and retreat within the forest landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Inspired by the structure of tea leaves, the cabins feature elongated forms.
02
Local spruce timber is the primary material used, enhancing environmental integration.
03
Sliding doors increase the connection between interior spaces and the surrounding forest.
04
Wooden posts create dynamic light and shadow patterns within the cabins.
05
The design encourages mindfulness through intentional spatial organization.

The Leaf Cabin is located in Latvia, between the Ozolini retreat and Lake Bezdibenė. It offers a quiet space for people looking to escape busy urban life. The design centers on the idea of finding peace and self-discovery in nature. By connecting the built structure with the surrounding landscape, the cabins create an environment that encourages mindfulness and reflection.

Design Inspiration

The overall shape of the Leaf Cabin takes inspiration from the structure of a tea leaf. This results in long, slender forms that harmonize with the natural surroundings. This choice aims to relate the buildings to the environment, ensuring that they look like an extension of the forest rather than separate entities.

Structural Composition

Wooden posts are key components in the design. They create interesting patterns of light and shadow inside the cabins. This design not only enhances the visual appeal but also supports a conversation between indoor and outdoor spaces. Occupants can appreciate different areas for meditation, relaxation, and interaction with nature while maintaining a clear connection to the forest.

Material Strategy

Sustainability plays an important role in the choice of materials. Local spruce trees are primarily used, supporting environmental goals while also helping the cabins blend in with the landscape. This decision highlights the importance of locality, making the project feel more connected to its geographic setting.

Spatial Experience

Sliding doors feature prominently throughout the cabins. They offer easy access and allow light and air to flow freely. Such design choices enhance the sensory experience and help blur the lines between inside and outside. The result is a calming space where nature becomes part of daily life.

Inside, the Leaf Cabin fosters a tranquil atmosphere, allowing light to filter through and casting gentle shadows on the interior. This environment invites individuals to pause, reflect, and feel a deeper connection to the natural world around them.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

`
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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy