Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Timber Cabins Embracing Nature Through Blackened Cladding and Sustainable Features

Authors:
Jamie Brown, Lee Mcilroy
Timber Cabins Embracing Nature Through Blackened Cladding and Sustainable Features

Project in-detail

Constructed with blackened timber cladding and pre-fabricated insulated panels, these cabins offer a sustainable retreat that fosters connection with nature and provides spaces for wellness and reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cabins are designed to resemble fragments of the landscape, enhancing visual integration.
02
Pre-fabricated insulated panels allow for efficient construction and energy performance.
03
Blackened timber cladding minimizes solar gain and blends with the surrounding environment.
04
Each cabin features private gardens that promote a connection with nature.
05
The layout encourages an experiential journey through transitional spaces leading to treatment zones.

The Vale de Moses project is located in a peaceful landscape designed to encourage solitude and reconnect people with nature. It focuses on creating retreat spaces that offer privacy and promote well-being through a careful arrangement of buildings and surrounding natural elements. Each cabin reflects the site's natural shape and is integrated into the landscape, enhancing the overall experience.

Design Concept

The design emphasizes a strong connection with the environment. Cabins are thoughtfully placed to mimic the site's natural contours, working with the land rather than against it. This arrangement allows for a meaningful interaction between the architecture and the landscape, which contributes to an atmosphere conducive to relaxation and healing.



Spatial Organization

The layout shapes how visitors move through the space. There are distinct paths that guide users from common areas to more private treatment cabins. A dark, enclosed threshold marks the transition, helping guests prepare for the calmness that lies ahead. The treatment spaces are designed to let in ample natural light, connecting users to the outside, while terraces and private gardens provide quiet spots for contemplation.



Materiality

Material choices support the overall intent of the design. Cabins feature pre-fabricated insulated timber panels, which are lightweight and efficient. This choice helps speed up construction while maintaining energy efficiency. The exterior is clad in blackened timber, allowing the buildings to blend with their surroundings, while the interiors are lined with light veneered plywood, creating a warm and soothing environment.



Sustainability Features

Sustainable practices are a key focus in the design. The cabins are built with a minimal impact on the land. Covered terraces work to control heat from the sun, while thermal insulation helps reduce energy consumption. Rainwater harvesting systems support irrigation, and photovoltaic panels meet energy needs. All these aspects reflect a commitment to environmentally friendly design.



Treatment spaces are designed to open up to outdoor areas, reinforcing the relationship between indoor and outdoor environments. This connection allows guests to interact with the natural landscape, enhancing their overall experience.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

`
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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy