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Wood Stove Retreat With Solar Power and Glass Walls

Author:
Marina Rubin
Wood Stove Retreat With Solar Power and Glass Walls

Project in-detail

Constructed with a glass shell and equipped with a wood stove, the retreat offers a sustainable living solution that immerses occupants in the surrounding forest.
5 key facts about this project
01
Equipped with a wood stove for heating and water boiling.
02
Features solar panels for energy independence.
03
Constructed with a glass shell for maximum natural light.
04
Includes mosquito nets on all openings for comfort.
05
Designed with three open sides for immersive forest views.

The Forest Cabin is located in a dense woodland area, designed to bring people closer to nature. Its main purpose is to serve as a retreat, emphasizing a strong connection to the outdoors. The design focuses on openness, allowing natural surroundings to flow into the living space.

Design Integration

The cabin features a glass shell that lets in ample light and provides wide views of the forest. By eliminating conventional barriers found in typical buildings, the design opens up to the landscape on three sides. This approach enhances the atmosphere inside the cabin, creating a calm and inviting environment for occupants.

Sustainable Practices

Sustainability plays a significant role in the cabin's design. It uses solar panels for lighting, which reduces reliance on traditional power sources. The wood stove serves multiple purposes, providing heat and a way to boil water, using firewood sourced from the surrounding area. These features demonstrate a focus on self-sufficiency and minimizing environmental impact.

Interior Functionality

The interior is arranged to support various activities, such as meditation, relaxation, and creative work. A seating area by the window encourages occupants to appreciate the natural landscape outside. Practical elements, like storage solutions and a movable water container, enhance the cabin's usability without complicating its simple aesthetic.

The cabin also includes mosquito nets on all openings. This detail allows for an open connection to the natural surroundings while keeping occupants comfortable. It emphasizes the relationship between the cabin and the forest, offering a genuine experience of the woodland atmosphere.

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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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