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Timber Structure Enhanced by Piled Foundations and Natural Light for Yoga Retreat

Authors:
Will Beesley, William Bellefontaine
Timber Structure Enhanced by Piled Foundations and Natural Light for Yoga Retreat

Project in-detail

With a focus on timber construction and a design that incorporates piled foundations and abundant natural light, the retreat provides an adaptable environment for yoga practice, seamlessly blending with its mountainous surroundings.
5 key facts about this project
01
The building seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor spaces through sliding doors.
02
A Zen garden connects the yoga hall with functional facilities.
03
Timber is used extensively for structure, finishes, and cladding.
04
Piled foundations minimize disturbance to the surrounding landscape.
05
Solar panels and rainwater collection support sustainable resource use.

Casa de Fluxo, or House of Flow, is located on a small plateau overlooking a rugged landscape. The building extends over a cliff, providing views of the surrounding mountains. Designed for yoga practice, it focuses on creating fluid connections between spaces while integrating with nature. The concept revolves around the movements found in yoga, emphasizing a harmonious relationship between the interior and exterior.

Design Concept

At the core of Casa de Fluxo is the idea of interconnected spaces that reflect the dynamic qualities of yoga practice. The layout features a main yoga hall, accompanied by facilities such as toilets, showers, storage, and a kitchenette. These areas are arranged thoughtfully to facilitate easy movement, which enhances the overall experience for users.

Integration with Nature

A Zen garden plays a vital role in the design, serving as a link between the yoga hall and other functional spaces. This garden adds a peaceful visual component while also bringing the sounds and scents of nature into the environment. The terrace provides a place to pause and enjoy the views, inviting users to engage with the beauty of the surrounding area.

Sustainability Features

Sustainability is an important aspect of Casa de Fluxo. The building primarily uses timber for its structure, cladding, and finishes, aligning with goals for a reduced environmental impact. Piled foundations help to limit disturbance to the land. Rainwater harvesting and solar panels are incorporated to make efficient use of resources. Additionally, daylighting techniques improve the interior atmosphere, allowing natural light to enhance the space.

User Experience

The design prioritizes adaptability for users. Features like sliding doors create flexibility, allowing the yoga hall to change from an open space for classes to a cozy area for private practice. Large windows and roof lights encourage natural light to fill the interior, creating a calming environment that supports relaxation.

Casa de Fluxo illustrates thoughtful design through its attention to fluidity and its relationship with the environment. It serves as a tranquil place for yoga, blending the built structure with the natural landscape and catering to the needs of its users.

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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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