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Underwater Meditation Spaces Crafted with Natural Stone and Fluid Concrete Forms

Authors:
Qianxin Deng, Ziyue Wei, Qingyuan Zong, 艺迅 马
Underwater Meditation Spaces Crafted with Natural Stone and Fluid Concrete Forms

Project in-detail

Distinctively designed underwater meditation spaces integrate natural stone and flowing concrete to create a tranquil environment dedicated to reflection and community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Underwater meditation space fosters a unique sensory experience through the integration of water and light.
02
Curvilinear pathways mimic natural water flow, enhancing visitor engagement with the landscape.
03
Natural stone elements provide tactile warmth and a connection to the surrounding environment.
04
The light chapel's design maximizes natural light, creating an evolving atmosphere throughout the day.
05
Community gathering areas encourage social interaction while maintaining a serene setting for reflection.

### Project Overview

Located in the Dong ethnic region of China, the project draws inspiration from the Wind and Rain Bridge, a culturally significant structure known for its communal role. The design aims to cultivate an environment that promotes tranquility and connection among users while seamlessly integrating into the surrounding landscape. This integration highlights the spiritual and community-oriented aspects of architecture in this context.

### Spatial Organization

The layout emphasizes meditation and reflection through a carefully considered arrangement of spaces. Key features include:

- **Underwater Meditation Space**: This area is designed to immerse visitors in a calming aquatic environment, utilizing water to create a serene atmosphere that fosters introspection and relaxation. The strategic placement within the landscape allows for both literal and metaphorical depth.

- **Light Chapel**: Designed as a gathering space for communal activities, the Light Chapel maximizes natural light to create an uplifting environment conducive to meditation and social interaction. Its design incorporates elements that facilitate engagement among users.

- **Flowing Pathways**: The architectural plan includes whimsical pathways that mimic the contours of the surrounding topography, encouraging exploration and contemplation while promoting a fluid transition between built forms and nature.

### Materiality

The selection of materials reflects a balance between contemporary design and traditional craftsmanship. Notable materials include:

- **Reinforced Concrete**: Utilized for its strength and versatility, enabling the formation of intricate shapes that respond to the project’s spatial requirements.

- **Glass**: Employed in the Light Chapel to enhance transparency, allowing natural light to penetrate the space and provide views of the natural surroundings.

- **Water Features**: Incorporated into the meditation area, water symbolizes serenity and acts as a literal and figurative mirror to the surrounding environment.

- **Natural Stone**: Chosen for its aesthetic appeal and warmth, this material reinforces the connection to the natural landscape while complementing the concrete elements.

### Geographical Context

Strategically situated within a hilly landscape representative of the Dong region, the design responds to the topography in a manner that enhances both aesthetic value and ecological sustainability. This consideration minimizes disruption to the existing ecosystem while contributing to the architectural narrative of community and connection.

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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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