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Ultraviolet-Cleaned Retreat Featuring Photovoltaic Energy Integration

Authors:
Fabien Mock, Oliver Kamm, Stefan Könnecke
Ultraviolet-Cleaned Retreat Featuring Photovoltaic Energy Integration
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Equipped with a bactericidal and virucidal interior and powered by photovoltaic cells, the retreat offers users a hygienic space to disconnect and rejuvenate amidst urban life.
5 key facts about this project
01
Equipped with an automatic cleaning system using ultraviolet light for enhanced hygiene.
02
Incorporates bactericidal and virucidal materials to ensure occupant safety.
03
Functions autonomously with solar energy from integrated photovoltaic cells.
04
Designed for sensory disconnection and reconnection through a guided user experience.
05
Adaptable to various urban settings, including parks, towns, and waterways.

ECLIPSE is a personal retreat designed for urban environments. It adapts well to different settings, whether in parks, city centers, or near water. The central idea is to provide a space where individuals can take a break from the stresses of daily life. The design encourages users to disconnect from their surroundings and re-establish a connection with their own internal rhythms, promoting relaxation and wellness.

Design Concept

The design focuses on enhancing user experience through a structured approach. Upon arrival, users are invited to set aside their mobile devices in a designated box, allowing them to immerse themselves in the present moment. This simple action lays the groundwork for an environment that prioritizes relaxation and mindfulness.

Experiential Structure

The interior of ECLIPSE offers a carefully curated sensory journey. As users step inside, the lighting is adjusted to create a calming effect. A warm, fragrant drink is provided to awaken the senses of taste and smell. The atmosphere is fine-tuned with control over temperature and humidity, fostering comfort. Soft sounds from nature enhance the surroundings, encouraging a deeper level of calm and focus.

Health and Hygiene

Occupant health is a key priority in the design. The use of materials that are bactericidal and virucidal ensures that hygiene standards are met. Additionally, an automated cleaning system employing ultraviolet light helps maintain a clean and safe environment. This focus on cleanliness allows users to feel at ease as they take time for themselves.

Sustainable Infrastructure

ECLIPSE operates using solar energy from photovoltaic cells, aligning with efforts toward sustainability. This renewable energy source supports its functionality and reflects a commitment to being environmentally responsible. The design also considers ecological priorities while addressing the practical needs of urban life.

Large windows are thoughtfully placed to let natural light shine through. This connection to the outside enriches the experience and brings in different shades as daylight changes. It adds another layer to the overall atmosphere, enhancing the sense of peace and offering a retreat from the busy world outside.

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Enter an open architecture
competition now

Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
The Architect’s 
Stair
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Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

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

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge

AIA (American Institute of Architects) invites you to design affordable housing in Denver

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Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 18 September 2025

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