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Sunk-In Tents with Polycarbonate Rooftops Amidst Natural Canopies

Authors:
Brian O'brian, Parastoo Najafi
Sunk-In Tents with Polycarbonate Rooftops Amidst Natural Canopies

Project in-detail

Set beneath a polycarbonate roof, the sunken tents blend seamlessly with the landscape's natural canopies, creating a unique communal retreat that encourages interaction and reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
The project features a unique underground road dedicated solely to vehicular access.
02
Each tent is designed to maintain a consistent configuration while catering to individual user needs.
03
Polycarbonate roofs are utilized to enhance natural light within the tented spaces.
04
The architecture incorporates natural canopies, allowing for seamless integration with the surrounding landscape.
05
Gathering rooms are intentionally designed to overlap in function, fostering community interaction.

The architectural design focuses on creating a connection between nature and communal living. Set in a landscape with gentle hills that lead to a water's edge, the design draws inspiration from themes of poetry, independence, and community interaction. Spaces are arranged to facilitate both shared experiences and personal retreats, encouraging visitors to engage with one another and the environment.

Concept and Functionality

At the heart of the design is an underground road dedicated to vehicular access, which guides visitors to designated areas including five guest tents and nearby field tents. Each element is carefully positioned to create a flow from public gathering spaces to more private areas. This arrangement fosters a relationship with the surrounding landscape and enhances the overall visitor experience.

Spatial Configuration

The gathering rooms are designed to encourage social interaction. The architecture dips into the ground, creating a sheltered feeling while also drawing the eye upward towards the sky. This layout promotes a space where people can come together or seek solitude as they desire. The kitchen, dining area, and poetry rooms overlap in function, allowing for natural exchanges and encouraging creative collaboration.

Material Considerations

Materials play an important role in the design, supporting both its practical and aesthetic aspects. A polycarbonate roof allows natural light to fill the tented spaces, merging indoor and outdoor experiences. The structure is held up by steel posts and features stone walls, reinforcing the connection between the built environment and its natural surroundings. These choices create inviting spaces that encourage contemplation.

Experience and Interaction

Pathways throughout the site lead users to individual tents, which share a uniform design but cater to specific needs. These spaces are set below ground level, strengthening the connection with the earth. The architecture allows occupants to view the surrounding trees and nature from within the tents, creating an immersive experience that highlights a thoughtful engagement with the landscape. The design fosters moments of reflection while providing a supportive atmosphere for community interaction.

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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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