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Stone Basins and Thai Mattresses in Sustainable Cabins for Mindful Retreats

Author:
Ana Catarina Barroso Lopes
Stone Basins and Thai Mattresses in Sustainable Cabins for Mindful Retreats
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Incorporating built-in Thai mattresses and water-efficient stone basins, the cabins are designed to support wellness and meditation, seamlessly blending with the natural landscape of Vale de Moses.
5 key facts about this project
01
Integrates a Thai Massage Mattress into the cabin floor for easy therapeutic access.
02
Features a bespoke rainwater management system that recycles water efficiently.
03
Employs locally sourced stone and wood, ensuring environmental harmony with the landscape.
04
Utilizes large bi-fold and sliding doors to enhance indoor-outdoor connectivity.
05
Designed to adapt modularly, allowing repositioning within the retreat's landscape.

The Mira D'ouro Cabins are located in the peaceful Vale de Moses in Portugal’s central region. These cabins are designed to function as restorative spaces for meditation and recovery. The overall design promotes sustainability and a strong connection to the surrounding nature. With an emphasis on simplicity, the cabins create an environment that supports both individual well-being and tranquility.

Design Framework

The layout of the cabins features a compact design with an area of 21 square meters. When needed, the space can expand to 50 square meters through large bi-fold and sliding doors. This allows the interiors to open fully to the outdoors, enhancing the experience of being in nature. The interior layout is versatile, accommodating various therapeutic practices within a multipurpose room. Functionality is at the core of the design, making it easy for users to adapt the space to their needs.

Spatial Functionality

A unique aspect of the cabin design is the Thai Massage Mattress that is built into the floor. This detail provides immediate access for therapy sessions, ensuring a practical use of space. Storage solutions are integrated into the design with pull-out cabinets, which are helpful for organizing personal items. This attention to usability creates a clean and uncluttered environment, appealing to those seeking a peaceful retreat.

Material Selection

The selection of materials for the cabins emphasizes local sourcing and environmental responsibility. The use of locally sourced wood and regional stone establishes a warm and inviting atmosphere. These materials help the cabins blend with their surroundings while enhancing the sensory experience of occupants. They connect the interior spaces with the rich natural context outside.

Sustainable Systems

Sustainability is a crucial element in the design of the cabins. A water management system collects and recycles rainwater, mimicking natural cycles. This system ends at a stone basin, which serves both aesthetic and practical purposes. Additionally, the cabins feature a solar power system that uses a honeycomb photovoltaic panel network. This design choice ensures energy independence and showcases a dedication to ecological practices.

Retreats often seek calm and restoration, and the Mira D'ouro Cabins offer just that. Large retractable terrace doors encourage fresh air flow, particularly useful during warm summer days, connecting users easily to the scenic Vale de Moses outside.

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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

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