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Wooden Sanctuary with Buffer Zones for Seasonal Meditation

Authors:
Jessica Lee, Stanly Alviando, Nicotheus Giovanni
Wooden Sanctuary with Buffer Zones for Seasonal Meditation

Project in-detail

Constructed from wood, the cabin integrates buffer zones that facilitate movement through interconnected spaces, enhancing the experience of meditation within its natural setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with wood joints for efficient assembly and adaptability.
02
Incorporates buffer zones that promote movement and interaction between rooms.
03
Each room is designed to provide distinct sensory experiences.
04
The layout encourages a natural flow, mimicking seasonal migration.
05
Emphasizes the integration of indoor and outdoor spaces for meditation.

The design presents a new approach to creating a cabin focused on enhancing meditation practices. Located in a natural setting, the cabin goes beyond the traditional concept of a single shelter by including three distinct rooms. Each room serves a different purpose for meditation, allowing users to engage in various experiences influenced by their surroundings. This design highlights the importance of variability, encouraging a deeper connection to the environment.

Spatial Configuration

The layout features interconnected spaces that invite movement and interaction. Users travel between the rooms through outdoor pathways, fostering a strong relationship with nature. This movement encourages an awareness of changing elements such as sunlight and wind, enhancing the meditation experience. Each room is designed to offer specific qualities, creating unique atmospheres that cater to different meditative practices.

Buffer Zones

A notable aspect of the design is the inclusion of buffer zones, which act as transitional spaces between the individual rooms. These areas offer semi-private opportunities for interaction and movement. By integrating these buffer zones, the design creates an inviting environment for meditation. It blends indoor and outdoor experiences, making the cabin feel more open to its surroundings.

Material Utilization

Wood is the primary material used throughout the cabin. A straightforward wood joint construction technique is employed, which supports efficient building methods. The choice of wood helps the cabin remain connected to its natural environment, reinforcing the overall theme of simplicity and functionality. This approach allows for easier construction and potential relocation if desired.

Natural Interaction

The overall design focuses on the cabin's role as a site for reflection and meditation. It is responsive to environmental conditions, allowing users to experience the nuances of nature throughout the seasons. By emphasizing the relationship between space and sensory experiences, the cabin creates a tranquil environment ideal for meditation. The natural elements are carefully woven into the structure, making them essential to the experience of the cabin.

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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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