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Tree Integration and Polished Steel Embrace in Forest Retreat

Author:
Ben Feicht
Tree Integration and Polished Steel Embrace in Forest Retreat

Project in-detail

Polished steel clads a tree-integrated structure that allows guests to engage with their forest surroundings while nurturing the very trees that envelop their retreat.
5 key facts about this project
01
Polished steel facade reflects the forest environment.
02
Integrated tree growth accommodates evolving natural elements.
03
Bendable steel straps allow trees to grow along the structure.
04
Ground floor includes multipurpose spaces for daily activities.
05
Upper level features open design for ventilation and views.

The tree house is located in a tranquil forest, designed to offer occupants a place to unwind away from the busy pace of modern life. It serves as a space for reflection and meditation, encouraging a stronger connection with nature. The overall design promotes taking things slow, inviting users to engage deeply with their surroundings. It seeks to create a balance between built structures and the natural environment, allowing people to feel at home among the trees.

Material Selection

The tree house features a polished corrugated steel facade, which reflects the colors and textures of the forest. This choice not only enhances durability but also helps the structure blend in with its surroundings. Inside, the framework is made of interlocking Cross Laminated Timber Panels. These panels are designed for easy fabrication and quick assembly. Their lightweight nature contributes to the overall stability and natural look of the tree house.

Spatial Configuration

The ground floor is thoughtfully designed with open views towards the forest, making it easy for occupants to connect with the outside. A centrally located hearth provides warmth and a welcoming atmosphere. Everyday functions are integrated subtly, creating a practical space that avoids clutter. On the upper level, the sleeping area features large openings, allowing fresh air to circulate and giving residents beautiful views of the treetops.

User Integration and Functions

Innovative design choices enhance how people experience the tree house. A dry toilet on the ground floor makes use of vertical space by allowing its walls to double as access points to the upper level. This thoughtful approach addresses practical needs while reinforcing the project’s focus on simplicity and a connection to nature. Additionally, bendable steel straps attached to the exterior support tree growth, highlighting a design that encourages a beneficial relationship between the building and its natural setting.

Lived Experience

While staying in the tree house, occupants can engage with the forest in meaningful ways. They have the opportunity to nurture the trees surrounding them, making their experience both personal and active. This process helps foster a greater appreciation for nature. As users become involved with their environment, they find themselves developing a sense of mindfulness. The design thus emphasizes a blend of practical living and nature appreciation, allowing the tree house to coexist with the trees that surround it.

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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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