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Stained Glass Retreat With Wood Chip Facades and Private Meditation Cabins

Authors:
Alexey Kashapov, Svetlana Kashapova
Stained Glass Retreat With Wood Chip Facades and Private Meditation Cabins

Project in-detail

A retreat defined by its stained glass windows and wood chip facades offers a series of private meditation cabins designed to enhance connection with nature and promote tranquility.
5 key facts about this project
01
The design incorporates a circular layout to enhance spatial flow and connection to nature.
02
Meditation cabins are strategically separated by hedges for privacy and solitude.
03
Each cabin features an open area with views overlooking a gorge, enriching the meditative experience.
04
A convertible massage table within the cabins allows for flexibility during use.
05
The façade utilizes wood chips as a veneer, referencing traditional Portuguese materials.

The design focuses on integrating meditation spaces within a natural landscape. Set in an environment that promotes calmness, the aim is to align the structure with its surroundings. The concept is based on nature as a genuine element, with forms reflecting organic growth and enhancing the experience of contemplation.

Conceptual Framework

A circular form serves as the main design element. This shape is chosen for its ability to improve spatial use and movement. Unlike traditional rectangular layouts, the circle invites a more natural flow within the space. It acts as a fundamental aspect of the design, connecting the architecture to the organic elements found in nature, and ensuring a comfortable atmosphere for users.

Integration with Nature

The design features a transparent stained glass window that connects the interior to the outside. This window brings in natural light and establishes a visual link with the surrounding landscape. It not only enhances the aesthetic but also emphasizes the connection between the occupants and their environment, creating an immersive experience that encourages peace.

Meditation Cabins

Meditation cabins are strategically placed for privacy, separated by hedges to maintain a sense of solitude. Each cabin includes an open area dedicated to meditation, thoughtfully oriented to provide views of a gorge below. This positioning allows users to engage deeply with their surroundings, enriching their meditation practice.

Interior Flexibility

Flexibility is an important consideration in the interior design. The cabins include a massage table that can be integrated into the floor plan. This design choice allows for clear space during meditation while providing utility. When in use, the table enhances the connection to nature, as a mirrored detailing beneath it creates an engaging sensory interaction.

The choice of materials supports a natural aesthetic. Traditional Portuguese tiled roofs are referenced through the use of wood chips for the veneer. This decision links the building to local architectural styles and fosters a dialogue between the structure and the environment.

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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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