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Trees Enveloped in Wood Creating an Immersive Meditation Retreat

Author:
Şeyda Ünal
Trees Enveloped in Wood Creating an Immersive Meditation Retreat

Project in-detail

Enveloped by trees, a wooden framework supports a retreat cabin designed for immersive meditation, enhancing individual awareness while respecting the natural landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Enveloped by existing trees, the design preserves their natural integrity while providing structural support.
02
The use of wood throughout the framework emphasizes sustainability and ecological compatibility.
03
Vertical circulation allows users to experience different heights and perspectives within the forest.
04
Pathways are shaped by the branches and leaves, creating a unique navigational experience.
05
A retreat cabin serves as a secluded space for reflection and basic needs, enhancing the meditative focus.

The meditation space is set in the tranquil landscape of Latvia, designed specifically for Vipassana practices. The focus is on enhancing personal awareness and fostering a connection with nature. The layout integrates natural elements into the design, allowing for a strong relationship between the built environment and the forest that surrounds it.

Structural Integration of Trees

Trees are key elements in the design, serving both as visual features and structural supports. The framework is built around the trees using wood, a choice that allows them to hold up the structure without harming them. This approach emphasizes sustainability, letting the natural landscape play an important role in shaping the architecture.

Navigational Experience

The design creates a navigational experience through the careful arrangement of floors, façades, and covers. This setup provides distinct perspectives and maintains clear views of the surrounding forest. Users can move vertically through the space, allowing them to observe the landscape from different heights and angles, which enhances engagement with their environment.

Circulation Paths and Meditative Journey

Paths are designed in relation to the branches and leaves of the trees, creating an engaging journey for users. As individuals walk through these paths, they embark on a meditative adventure that leads to a retreat cabin. This cabin meets basic needs, such as shelter and sanitation, and acts as a quiet space for reflection, reinforcing the importance of connecting with nature.

Attention to detail is evident in the cabin design. Open connections to the outside allow natural light and sounds to enter, enhancing the meditative quality of the experience. This thoughtful design fosters a deep engagement with the natural world while providing a peaceful environment.

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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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