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Timber Retreat Featuring Circular Skylight and Cross Ventilation

Authors:
Rebeca Rivera-pelayo, Danica Dasmarinas, Alejandro Pinon
Timber Retreat Featuring Circular Skylight and Cross Ventilation

Project in-detail

A circular skylight invites natural light into a timber structure designed for meditation, enhancing the sense of connection with nature through its open layout and cross-ventilation strategies.
5 key facts about this project
01
A circular skylight enhances natural light and fosters an uplifting atmosphere.
02
The design incorporates cross ventilation for improved air quality and comfort.
03
Timber construction blends the cabin seamlessly with its natural surroundings.
04
A dedicated altar area promotes personal reflection within the space.
05
The open layout supports various forms of meditation practices.

The Koru Cabin is an architectural design located in a green landscape in New Zealand, created as a space for meditation and reflection. The project incorporates ideas from transcendental meditation into its design, allowing people to feel connected to nature. The concept draws on the symbolism of the Koru, which represents new life and growth, aiming to create a calming space that encourages introspection.

Spatial Configuration

Inside the Koru Cabin, the layout promotes a peaceful environment tailored for meditation. It features key areas such as a meditation space that encourages deep thought, an altar for personal reflection, and seating that facilitates engagement with the surroundings. The open plan allows for smooth transitions between these spaces, reflecting the natural rhythms of life and supporting various meditative practices.

Natural Light Integration

A key feature of the Koru Cabin is the circular skylight that fills the interior with natural light. This design element acts as a central point in the cabin, drawing the eye upward and connecting the inside with the outside world. As light changes throughout the day, it creates different patterns of shadow, enhancing the experience within the space and adding to its overall atmosphere.

Sustainable Material Use

Timber is the main material used in the construction of the cabin, chosen for its lightness and local sourcing. This choice makes construction easier and reduces environmental impact. Using timber helps the cabin blend into its surroundings, making it feel like a part of the landscape. This decision aligns with the overall theme of respecting nature while providing a functional space for users.

Every aspect of the Koru Cabin works together to create a place where individuals can find peace and connection with their environment. The thoughtful design details, especially the interplay of light and shadow, offer a dynamic yet calming backdrop for reflection and meditation.

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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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