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Trellis-Shaded Retreat With Local Matai Timber and Reflective Surfaces

Authors:
Michelle Rumapea, Mercy Immanuela
Trellis-Shaded Retreat With Local Matai Timber and Reflective Surfaces

Project in-detail

Built from local Matai timber with a focus on reflective surfaces and a trellis-shaded pathway, the cabin offers a dedicated space for meditation and introspection within its natural surroundings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Reflective facades connect the structure with the landscape.
02
Local Matai timber forms the primary building material.
03
One-way window panels allow privacy while maintaining views.
04
A trellis roof design enhances sensory experiences.
05
Water features provide auditory elements that enrich the atmosphere.

The Psalm is a meditation cabin located within the Earth Energies Main Compound. It is designed as a space for reflection and mindfulness. The overall concept highlights the connection between the structure and its natural surroundings, creating an environment that encourages peaceful contemplation and a deep bond with nature.

Design Inspiration
The design is influenced by the idea of silence as expressed by American composer John Cage, specifically in his composition "4'33." This approach encourages visitors to pay attention to the sounds of the environment. The cabin invites individuals to pause, listen, and experience the stillness around them, making it a space for quiet observation.

Spatial Integration
The cabin features reflective facades that connect the building with the landscape. This design choice allows light to enter and shapes the atmosphere inside. Large, one-way window panels provide privacy, allowing users to focus inward without losing sight of the natural beauty outside. These elements combine to create a space where the inner self can connect with the external world.

Material Selection
The materials used in the cabin emphasize a relationship with the local area. Local Matai timber is used for the structure, providing a natural appearance that blends with the setting. Industry-standard glass panels offer transparency while allowing for efficient construction. Opaque tinted glass films enhance privacy and support a calm environment by reducing outside distractions.

Environmental Features
The layout includes a pathway that leads visitors down toward greater levels of tranquility, metaphorically grounding them in the essence of Earth energy. Additional water features enhance the atmosphere, reflecting light and producing gentle sounds that contribute to the overall experience. The design of the trellis roof provides shade, stimulating sensory encounters and encouraging visitors to engage with their surroundings.

The Psalm serves as both a space for meditation and an example of how architecture can connect with nature. The play of light within the cabin changes throughout the day, creating a variety of moods that invite deeper reflection.

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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

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