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 Retreat Embracing Nature with Thatched Brick Elements

Authors:
Liv Green, Rachel Fay
Timber Retreat Embracing Nature with Thatched Brick Elements

Project in-detail

Constructed with timber and adorned with thatched brick accents, the retreat harmonizes with its natural setting to provide a space dedicated to mindfulness and meditation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed to support daily Vipassana meditation rituals.
02
Incorporates thatched brick for a connection to local building traditions.
03
Natural spruce pine scent enhances the sensory experience.
04
Timber details emphasize tactile engagement throughout the retreat.
05
Cabins are strategically oriented to maximize natural light and views.

The Ozolini Retreat offers a space designed to foster mindfulness and introspection. Situated in a quiet countryside, the retreat embodies the philosophy of Vipassana meditation, which emphasizes living fully in the moment. The architecture integrates with the surrounding landscape, creating an environment where individuals can step away from daily distractions and connect with nature.

Spatial Organization
The layout of the retreat is carefully structured to support daily practices that are central to Vipassana. Users can engage in routines like waking, dressing, washing, and preparing food in a way that encourages mindfulness. Each space flows into the next, promoting a deeper awareness of simple actions. This arrangement facilitates moments of reflection and engagement with the environment.

Materiality
Timber is a defining material of the retreat, contributing to a warm and inviting atmosphere. This choice connects the structures to the natural setting, allowing occupants to feel a sense of belonging. The use of thatched bricks in the exterior design reflects traditional Latvian building techniques, adding authenticity to the retreat and grounding it in local culture.

Natural Light
The interior spaces prioritize natural light and views of the surrounding landscape. Large windows and thoughtfully positioned openings frame scenes of nature, blurring the line between inside and outside. This design choice enhances the experience by allowing users to engage with both the retreat and its environment, encouraging contemplation and mindfulness.

The design includes small details that create a peaceful atmosphere. The rounded edges of wooden steps encourage a gentle touch, while the recessed chopping board in the kitchen counter makes food preparation easy and efficient. These thoughtful elements contribute to an overall experience of heightened awareness in daily life.

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