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Tibetan Praying Wheels and Local Stone Shape a Community Space

Authors:
Juliana Rocha, Joana Ilhão
Tibetan Praying Wheels and Local Stone Shape a Community Space

Project in-detail

Tibetan praying wheels and local stone create a harmonious community space that seamlessly integrates with the surrounding landscape while fostering both social interaction and individual reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Tibetan praying wheels incorporated into the design enhance cultural significance.
02
Cardinal points orientation optimizes light and energy flow throughout the building.
03
Local stone is used, reinforcing the project’s ecological sustainability and regional identity.
04
The layout includes diverse functional areas tailored for communal and private use.
05
Large openings connect interior spaces to the surrounding natural landscape.

The design is situated in a natural landscape that emphasizes the preservation of existing trees, showcasing a commitment to ecological sustainability. The layout draws inspiration from Tibetan culture, incorporating elements such as praying wheels and cardinal points orientation. This infuses the space with a spiritual narrative, enhancing the relationship between the built environment and its surroundings, all while allowing for moments of reflection and community interaction.

Cardinal Points Orientation

The layout is organized in alignment with cardinal points, creating a direct connection to the natural environment. Each side of the building faces a different direction, promoting a harmonious relationship with the landscape. This orientation not only enhances visual appeal but also allows for optimal natural light and airflow throughout the interior. The design honors the site's unique topography and fosters a spiritual connection through this intentional alignment.

Functional Organization

The interior includes various functional spaces: a practice room, hall, kitchen, toilet, water collector room, storage, change room, and shower. This thoughtful arrangement underscores a focus on multi-functionality, catering to diverse activities and user needs. By integrating communal and private spaces, the design encourages social interactions while also providing quiet areas for personal reflection.

Integration of Elements

The design also explores elemental organization, assigning specific spaces to the four elements: water represented by the WC, fire by the fireplace, earth by the kitchen, and air by the entrance. This careful alignment fosters a balanced environment, connecting users to essential aspects of nature. The design promotes harmony and coherence, enhancing the overall experience of being within the building.

Material Considerations

Local stone is specified as a key material, reinforcing ties to the geographical context. This choice not only aligns with aesthetic goals but also supports environmentally friendly practices. Using natural materials creates tactile spaces that feel inviting and linked to the site.

Large openings in the practice room allow abundant natural light to fill the space, framing views of the surrounding trees. This design fosters a calm atmosphere, promoting moments of introspection and connection with the outdoors.

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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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