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Thermal Buffering with Brick and Wood in a Nature-Focused Meditation Space

Authors:
Maria Łomiak, Natalia Rajchel, Stanisław Dawidziuk
Thermal Buffering with Brick and Wood in a Nature-Focused Meditation Space

Project in-detail

Incorporating a wooden pergola and solid brick walls, the design harmonizes indoor and outdoor environments, promoting natural ventilation and creating an inviting space for yoga and meditation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Each level is dedicated to a specific function, with the ground floor focusing on utility while the upper floor provides a dedicated yoga practice area.
02
The design emphasizes natural ventilation through strategically placed openings that enhance airflow throughout the building.
03
Rainwater is collected via an integrated system that supports irrigation and washing needs.
04
Solid brick walls serve as thermal buffers, managing internal temperatures across seasonal fluctuations.
05
The wooden pergola creates an unobtrusive transition between indoor and outdoor environments, enhancing the connection with nature.

The Yoga House in Vale de Moses, Portugal, is designed as a space dedicated to yoga practice and meditation. It is thoughtfully positioned within a sloping plot, allowing it to connect naturally with the surrounding landscape. The building aims to create a peaceful environment where users can focus on their well-being while enjoying the beauty of nature.

Natural Integration

The design emphasizes the relationship between indoor spaces and the outdoors. A wooden pergola extends from the structure, creating a clear connection between inside and outside areas. This element invites visitors to appreciate the natural setting while enjoying their practice.

Functional Layout

The Yoga House has a well-organized layout that considers the needs of its users. The ground floor includes necessary storage and restroom facilities, which keeps the yoga practice area on the upper level clear and inviting. This arrangement helps maintain a calm atmosphere, ideal for meditation and yoga sessions.

Environmental Design

The project carefully addresses environmental factors to enhance comfort. Cross ventilation is achieved through strategically placed openings that allow fresh air to flow through the building. Double-hung windows and skylights further support this, providing natural light while reducing heat build-up, making the space more comfortable.

Sustainability Practices

Sustainable practices are an important aspect of the design. A rainwater collection system is integrated into the building, allowing it to capture and utilize rainwater for irrigation and washing. This system supports both environmental responsibility and the daily needs of the users.

The building features solid brick walls that help regulate temperature inside, keeping it comfortable throughout the year. Overall, the design fosters an atmosphere that encourages relaxation and focus, enhancing the experience for those who come to practice yoga.

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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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