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Translucent Polycarbonate Sheltering A Zen Garden Within A Wooden Retreat

Author:
Sumaya Ben saad
Translucent Polycarbonate Sheltering A Zen Garden Within A Wooden Retreat

Project in-detail

A combination of locally sourced wood and translucent polycarbonate creates a harmonious retreat that seamlessly integrates a Zen Garden for mindful yoga practice.
5 key facts about this project
01
Yoga structure utilizes locally sourced wood and translucent polycarbonate elements.
02
The layout promotes natural ventilation aligned with prevailing winds.
03
Zen Garden provides serene spaces for outdoor yoga practices.
04
Elevated design incorporates passive water management systems.
05
Circular design elements enhance the connection between indoor and outdoor environments.

The Yoga House is an architectural endeavor that combines yoga practice with its natural surroundings. Located within a peaceful landscape, the project consists of two separate buildings: a wooden structure for yoga sessions and a rubble building that serves necessary support functions. The overall design aims to balance spiritual practice with physical wellness, creating a connection between the interior spaces and the outdoors.

Spatial Organization

The layout of the buildings is thoughtfully designed to promote ease of movement and connection. A central pathway links the yoga space with the service building, serving both practical and symbolic roles. This pathway encourages visitors to walk between the two structures, enhancing engagement with the environment and fostering a sense of unity.

Zen Garden

A Zen Garden is an important feature of the design, adding to the peaceful atmosphere. Located in a way that protects it from the harsh morning sun while maximizing views at sunset, the garden offers a space for quiet reflection. Its circular design blends with the landscape and provides opportunities for outdoor yoga practice, enriching the user experience.

Sustainable Design

Sustainability plays a key role in the approach to the architecture. The primary yoga building is constructed from locally sourced wood, which helps to limit transportation-related carbon emissions. The wood also contributes to thermal insulation, making the building more energy-efficient. The use of translucent polycarbonate between wood elements allows natural light to enter while maintaining comfort within the studio.

Natural Ventilation and Water Management

The design promotes natural ventilation, utilizing openings that align with prevailing winds to allow fresh air to circulate. Skylights in the rubble wall offer daylighting, reducing the need for artificial lighting. The elevated design incorporates systems for collecting rainwater, allowing for effective water management and ensuring that essential services are sustainably sourced.

The Yoga House features thoughtful details that encourage energy flow throughout the site, illustrated by the open shapes and inviting pathways that guide the user experience.

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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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