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Tapering Forms and Green Walls in a Nature-Focused Wellness Retreat

Authors:
Cristian Mariani, Sabrina Spalletti, Alessandra Franceschini, Lorenzo Di Giuseppe
Tapering Forms and Green Walls in a Nature-Focused Wellness Retreat

Project in-detail

A near-fully openable glass wall and integrated green wall create a nurturing connection to nature in a wellness retreat designed for yoga and communal activities.
5 key facts about this project
01
A near-fully openable glass wall connects the interior to the natural landscape.
02
Laminated beams provide both structural integrity and aesthetic warmth.
03
A vertical green wall serves as a functional partition and enhances indoor air quality.
04
The yoga space is designed to integrate light and outdoor views for a calming experience.
05
Long, low tea room tables encourage social interaction and communal sharing.

The design integrates individual and communal spaces in a way that encourages a connection to nature. Situated in a serene environment, the project focuses on wellness and relaxation, with features that promote both personal reflection and social interaction. The overall design concept centers on the relationship between the built environment and the natural landscape, expressed through open layouts and uplifting structural forms.

Spatial Arrangement

The yoga space is a central element of the design, intentionally oriented to open up to the surrounding landscape. This layout creates a calming setting, allowing people to engage meaningfully with nature. Elevation plays a significant role in the design, with tapering forms that symbolize resilience and balance. Each area is designed to foster tranquility, inviting occupants to experience a sense of peace and reflection.

Materiality

Material choices enhance both the look and function of the design. An external wood coating provides aesthetic appeal while offering protection from the elements. Laminated beams and wooden rafters add structural support and flexibility. Additionally, a waterproof layer and insulation contribute to the building's performance in different weather conditions. The inclusion of quietboard panels helps with acoustics, while warm wooden flooring creates an inviting interior atmosphere.

Functional Spaces

The design anticipates various uses, including a tea room, a yoga room, and necessary facilities like toilets and showers. The tea room features long, low tables that encourage socializing. Large windows allow for beautiful views, especially during sunset. The arrangement of spaces promotes smooth movement throughout, making it easy to transition from one area to the next. Outdoor areas further enhance the experience, offering an open-air yoga area, sunbathing spots, and a vegetable garden.

Design Details

A notable feature is the glass wall, which can be almost fully opened. This design allows for a close connection with the outdoors, making it easy to engage with the environment during yoga sessions or while relaxing in the tea room. Amenities like a fire pit and a stargazing point encourage occupants to spend time outside, creating opportunities for exploration and reflection. The integration of indoor and outdoor spaces fosters a holistic approach to well-being.

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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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