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Tree-Inspired Cabin with Steel Cables and Concrete Flowerpots for Meditation

Author:
Leonardo Zorz
Tree-Inspired Cabin with Steel Cables and Concrete Flowerpots for Meditation

Project in-detail

Constructed with steel cables and concrete flowerpots, this tree-inspired cabin provides a tranquil space for meditation while ensuring a harmonious connection with the surrounding environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Tree-inspired design enhances connection to the environment.
02
Utilizes steel cables for structural support and flexibility.
03
Concrete flowerpots serve both aesthetic and functional roles.
04
Open layout promotes continuous interaction with nature.
05
Plywood hoarding shapes the interior while providing protection.

The Tiny Kiwi Meditation Cabin is located in the peaceful landscape of Mangatarata, New Zealand. It functions as a meditation space, focused on silence and reflection. The design draws from simple shapes that evoke feelings of safety and comfort. The cabin offers a retreat for those looking to find peace and connect with nature.

Conceptual Framework

The design integrates with the environment in a thoughtful way. Inspiration comes from the structure of a tree, which allows for openings that connect the interior with the outside world. This careful arrangement creates an engaging experience, making it possible for users to meditate while immersing themselves in nature.

Spatial Relationships

The cabin evokes the feeling of being in a cave, providing shelter while offering a view of the surrounding landscape. This relationship enhances the experience of being indoors while still feeling connected to the outside. The focus on how space is arranged ensures that visitors have a calming place for reflection, where the design supports a peaceful atmosphere.

Material Composition

Material choices for the Tiny Kiwi Meditation Cabin add to its overall look and function. Steel cables provide structural support, while plywood hoarding shapes the form of the cabin. Concrete flowerpots serve both decorative and structural purposes, helping balance the design. Flitch plates reinforce connections at joints, enhancing stability, and everything rests on a solid concrete foundation.

The resulting space is characterized by a blend of geometry and nature, creating an environment that encourages quiet contemplation and allows the natural surroundings to play an essential role in the 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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