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Triangular Cabins Blending Wood Paneling and Native Gardens for Reflection

Authors:
Ivan Friderup, Zara Garrido muñoz, Maria malvina Esteche, Oriana Epuyan Bichara
Triangular Cabins Blending Wood Paneling and Native Gardens for Reflection

Project in-detail

Composed of triangular cabins with wood paneling and integrated native gardens, the design creates a serene setting for meditation and reflection within the Zezere River Valley.
5 key facts about this project
01
Triangular cabin design enhances community while ensuring individual privacy.
02
Integration of native gardens promotes local biodiversity and sustainability.
03
Wood paneling provides warmth and comfort in the cabins' interiors.
04
Skylights allow natural light and ventilation for a tranquil atmosphere.
05
Gray water system utilizes wetlands for irrigation and resource conservation.

The Balance Cabins project is located in the rural landscape of the Zezere River Valley and serves as a place for meditation and community. It is designed to foster inner peace and social interaction among its users. The concept revolves around triangular shapes, which symbolize the connection between body, mind, and soul. The layout encourages a calm environment that invites both personal reflection and group engagement.

Spatial Organization

The cabins are arranged to promote a sense of community while maintaining individual privacy. This careful layout allows for easy movement between spaces. Pathways link each cabin to outdoor meditation areas, enhancing the experience of being immersed in nature. Users can walk freely and find spots that resonate with them, whether for solitude or connection with others.

Landscape Integration

Gardens featuring native plants and vegetables play a significant role in the project. These gardens strengthen the relationship between the buildings and the environment of the Zezere River Valley. They provide beauty and serve practical purposes, allowing users to engage with nature in a meaningful way. The gardens act as a backdrop for the cabins, creating an inviting place that feels both serene and connected to the landscape.

Materiality

Materials are essential for the overall design. The cabins have an opaque vertical envelope, primarily made of wood paneling. This choice contributes warmth to the interiors while ensuring a cohesive look throughout the retreat. The lightweight wooden frame supports sustainability goals, making the construction process efficient and friendly to the environment. Together, these materials help create a calming atmosphere inside each cabin.

Environmental Considerations

The project features a gray water management system, which treats and filters water for reuse in gardens. This thoughtful approach highlights a commitment to sustainability and responsible resource management. Natural light also plays an important role, with skylights allowing soft sunlight to fill the interiors while enhancing air circulation. This design element contributes to a tranquil atmosphere ideal for meditation and relaxation.

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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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