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Vertical Pillars and Reflective Surfaces in a Forest-Focused Meditation Cabin

Authors:
Farisya Yunandira, Putroaji Maulana, Jason Axel
Vertical Pillars and Reflective Surfaces in a Forest-Focused Meditation Cabin

Project in-detail

Constructed with vertical pillars and two-way mirror walls, the cabin integrates into its forest setting while providing a dedicated space for meditation and reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cabin features a grid of vertical pillars that mirror the surrounding trees.
02
Walls utilize a two-way mirror to create seamless indoor-outdoor visibility.
03
Meditation area is designed as the largest space, prioritizing tranquility.
04
Pathways are formed by selectively removing pillars, promoting openness.
05
The overall layout encourages natural exploration and connection with nature.

The design features a cabin located within a thick forest, specifically created to serve as a central point amid the greenery. Its design concept emphasizes visibility and ease of access, allowing visitors to engage with the natural surroundings while providing a dedicated space for meditation and reflection.

Vertical Elements

The cabin showcases a series of repeated vertical pillars that mirror the natural lines of the trees around it. This arrangement creates a rhythmic facade, establishing a clear visual contrast with the chaotic layout of the forest. The pillars provide a sense of order while blending with the environment, enhancing the cabin's presence.

Pathways and Movement

Strategic pathways connect various areas of the cabin, formed by the removal of select pillars. This design promotes openness and facilitates easy movement. Visitors can explore the space without feeling confined, while also experiencing the connection to nature that the cabin aims to foster. These pathways encourage exploration and self-reflection, aligning with the cabin’s main purpose.

Interior Spaces

Inside, the cabin is divided into three main areas: a meditation room, a storage space, and sleeping quarters. The meditation area takes precedence, being the largest and emphasizing the cabin's function as a retreat for focused activities. This thoughtful division ensures that each space serves its purpose, creating a calm and welcoming environment for users.

Materiality and Reflection

A key design element is the use of a two-way mirror for the cabin walls, chosen to create a reflective surface. This choice enables the building to mirror the surrounding landscape. Occupants enjoy unobstructed views of nature from inside, fostering a connection between the interior and the exterior. The reflective surfaces create a visual link that enhances the overall experience of being in the forest.

The design elements and layout work together to create a peaceful space that promotes meditation, while remaining connected to the forest 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

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