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Translucent Concrete and Rustic Stone Create a Meditation Sanctuary in Nature

Authors:
Gabriella Szaniszlo, Tímea Abonyi, József Gubacska
Translucent Concrete and Rustic Stone Create a Meditation Sanctuary in Nature

Project in-detail

Translucent concrete and rustic stone define a meditation camp that harmonizes with its natural surroundings, offering spaces for individual reflection and communal engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Translucent concrete allows natural light to filter into the main building while retaining thermal properties.
02
A Silence Chamber is elevated among trees to enhance solitude for meditation.
03
Rustic stone veneer integrates the structures seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.
04
The kitchen garden promotes sustainability by providing fresh produce directly to guests.
05
The footbridge connects various facilities, encouraging exploration of the natural environment.

The Stone Barn Meditation Camp is an architectural design project located in Latvia, focused on creating a space for reflection, meditation, and community engagement. This camp integrates functional facilities with the surrounding natural environment, embodying principles of ecotourism and sustainable living. The design serves as a refuge, promoting a deep connection between visitors, nature, and one another.

The main components of the Stone Barn Meditation Camp include a central building housing dining and communal areas, family accommodations, and a uniquely designed Silence Chamber intended for solitary meditation. Each element within the camp is positioned to maximize the beauty of the landscape while fostering social interaction among guests. This project prioritizes both private and communal spaces, ensuring a balanced experience that encourages both solitude and community.

Unique Design Approaches

One distinctive feature of the Stone Barn Meditation Camp is the thoughtful selection of materials that enhance the connection to the site. The use of rustic stone veneer provides a grounded aesthetic that relates to the local context. Additionally, translucent concrete is employed in various architectural designs to introduce a modern element, allowing diffused natural light to permeate while maintaining thermal efficiency.

The architecture also emphasizes sustainability through the integration of a kitchen garden. This feature not only supplies fresh produce for camp meals but also encourages visitors to engage with sustainable practices and the source of their food. The footbridge connecting different areas of the camp enhances accessibility while promoting exploration of the natural surroundings.

Architectural Integration with Nature

Key design aspects include large glass windows that frame the picturesque views of the surrounding landscape, thus merging indoor and outdoor experiences. The layout of the camp takes into consideration sightlines and the emotional response to the environment, effectively grounding the structures within their natural setting. The Silence Chamber, located among the tree canopies, offers a sanctuary for individuals seeking solitude and deep meditation, reinforcing the project’s focus on providing an immersive experience with nature.

Overall, the Stone Barn Meditation Camp represents a harmonious blend of architecture and nature, designed to facilitate personal reflection and community connection. For those interested in further exploring this architectural endeavor, a review of the architectural plans, architectural sections, and specific architectural designs will provide deeper insights into the project's vision and implementation.

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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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