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Steps Overlooking Panoramic Views in a Wellness-Focused Space

Author:
Yee Tak Tong
Steps Overlooking Panoramic Views in a Wellness-Focused Space
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Stepped platforms provide expansive views over the valley, creating a communal space designed for wellness activities with a focus on integrating the building into its natural surroundings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Stepped platforms enhance connectivity with the surrounding landscape.
02
The design incorporates an outdoor garden area for user engagement.
03
Natural light is maximized in the yoga studio for a calming atmosphere.
04
Distinct separation of public and private zones promotes varied usage.
05
Panoramic views are a focal point, encouraging communal interaction.

The Ellipse is a building located on a cliff, designed to connect with the surrounding landscape while serving as a space for wellness activities. It offers a panoramic view of the valley, providing a scenic backdrop that enhances the experiences of those within. The design emphasizes inclusivity and accessibility, creating an environment where visitors can engage with both the structure and the nature surrounding it.

Architectural Concept

The design focuses on clearly defined areas for public activities and private moments. Stepped zones allow all visitors to take in the wide views, fostering a sense of community through shared experiences. This layout promotes natural movement through the space while maintaining a peaceful atmosphere that is essential for wellness practices.

Yoga Studio

Central to The Ellipse is the yoga studio, intended for a variety of wellness practices. This space is designed to make the most of natural light, creating a warm and inviting setting for relaxation and mindfulness. Its closeness to useful areas such as a pantry, storage, and instructor rooms enhances its practicality, supporting different activities aimed at improving physical and mental health.

Outdoor Engagement

The addition of an outdoor garden area expands the usable space, encouraging people to interact with the natural environment. This area enhances the visual appeal and helps connect the inside of the building with the outside. The garden complements the overall design, reinforcing the intent to create harmony with the landscape.

Distinctive Details

Thoughtful design choices reflect a commitment to sustainability while respecting the site's natural contours. The stepped layout serves both practical needs and adds a sculptural quality to the building. It invites exploration and interaction, drawing people in. Accompanied by sweeping views, these details create a unique relationship between the structure and its setting, enriching the experience for all who visit.

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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

Open architecture competitions

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Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 18 September 2025

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