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Sunlit Retreat Featuring Transparent Glass and Corner Windows

Authors:
Mayawee Panjaphakdee, Thapana Kositchaiwat, Natchanan Bonoy, Wachiraporn Sumranjit
Sunlit Retreat Featuring Transparent Glass and Corner Windows

Project in-detail

With its corner windows enhancing views and a bathtub positioned to capture sunlight through a skylight, the cabin offers a tranquil retreat that emphasizes a close connection to the surrounding New Zealand landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Ngāwari translates to a Māori concept of softness and simplicity, influencing the design ethos.
02
The cabin features strategically placed skylights to enhance sunlight throughout the day.
03
Corner windows provide expansive views and a unique visual connection to the landscape.
04
The relaxing area includes a fireplace, promoting warmth and comfort during evenings.
05
The bathtub is positioned to receive filtered sunlight, enhancing the bathing experience.

Ngāwari Cabin for Two is located in the Earth Energies Sanctuary of New Zealand, showcasing a design that emphasizes a strong connection to nature. It serves as a retreat where occupants can enjoy both privacy and social interaction. The design reflects the Māori concept of "ngāwari," which embodies notions of softness, ease, and simplicity. This guiding principle permeates the architecture, allowing for a tranquil yet engaging experience.

Spatial Organization

The cabin features a layout divided into three distinct areas, each catering to different needs for privacy and socialization. The central part of the cabin merges various functions, encouraging interactions among guests while providing spaces for quiet reflection. This thoughtful organization ensures that users can move between areas designed for connection and those intended for solitude.

Natural Light Integration

Panoramic windows and well-placed skylights are essential aspects of the design, allowing ample natural light to fill the interior. These features create stunning views of the fields, trees, and mountains surrounding the cabin. The interplay of light and shadow throughout the day enhances the living experience, bringing the beauty of the outdoors inside and providing a bright atmosphere.

Interior Features

Comfort and tranquility are key to the overall design. The living area supports morning routines, offering light and views that inspire a connection to the outside. Adjacent to it, the relaxing area has a fireplace, creating a warm and inviting space for evening enjoyment. The bedroom is positioned to maximize scenic views, featuring corner windows that frame the landscape and maintain a strong link to nature.

Unique Details

A standout feature of Ngāwari Cabin for Two is its bathtub, strategically placed to capture sunlight from the skylight. This thoughtful detail turns an ordinary bathing routine into a calming experience. It emphasizes the design's commitment to blending daily life with nature. The cabin succeeds in balancing functionality with an intimate relationship to the surrounding 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
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