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Weathered Steel and Larch Wood Cabin Set Amidst Reflective Serenity

Author:
Joyee Lee
Weathered Steel and Larch Wood Cabin Set Amidst Reflective Serenity

Project in-detail

The use of weathered steel and warm larch wood creates a meditative cabin that seamlessly integrates with its forest surroundings, fostering a tranquil space for reflection and contemplation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes weathered steel sheets that create a dynamic sculptural form.
02
The cabin's interior features warm larch wood for enhanced sensory experience.
03
Reflective pool serves as an altar for flower arrangements, encouraging interaction.
04
Designed to blend with the forest terrain, minimizing visual disruption.
05
Constructed to promote mindfulness and introspection in a natural setting.

The design draws inspiration from Peter Zumthor's "Poetic Landscape," situated in a quiet forest valley. The goal is to explore the relationship between humans and nature, focusing on themes of tension and harmony. These ideas serve as guiding principles for the overall design, creating a space that invites visitors to engage deeply with their surroundings.

Sculptural Elements

A key feature of the design is a sculptural element made of two weathered steel sheets. These sheets rise from the ground and meet at a looped apex. This formation highlights verticality while representing the tension between man and nature, resembling a see-saw in balance. Acting as both an entrance and a frame for the landscape, the sculpture encourages exploration and reflection.

Meditation Cabin

Next to the sculptural feature, a meditation cabin takes on a primitive, cave-like shape. It is carefully placed to blend with the terrain, providing shelter for visitors seeking solitude. The cabin's concave interior is made from warm-hued larch wood, offering a tactile connection to the natural world. This design promotes a sense of peace and focus, enhancing the experience of introspection.

Reflective Pool

Another important element is the reflective pool, located away from the cabin to capture plenty of sunlight. Filled with black pebbles, the pool serves as an altar for fresh flowers, adding a ceremonial aspect to the site. The water's reflective surface invites visitors to pause and contemplate, enriching the atmosphere of the environment.

The project effectively combines sculptural elements, the cabin, and the reflective pool into a cohesive and thoughtful space. The choice of weathered steel for the sculpture and larch wood for the cabin emphasizes the connection between the built structure and the natural landscape. This careful integration allows visitors to feel a sense of unity and tranquility as they navigate through the environment, fostering a deeper understanding of their relationship with nature.

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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
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