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Woven Fabric Cloak Enhancing Community Connection Through Vertical Meditation Spaces

Authors:
Alex Yuen, Weijia Song, Dylan Gibbs
Woven Fabric Cloak Enhancing Community Connection Through Vertical Meditation Spaces

Project in-detail

The woven fabric cloak enveloping a vertical labyrinth creates a serene environment that fosters individual and communal meditation, enhancing the connection between users and their natural surroundings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Continuous void connecting Ranginui and Papatūānuku enhances spiritual reflection.
02
Woven cloak incorporates contributions from local community members of all ages.
03
Vertical design allows for varying light, shade, and sensory experiences.
04
Various meditation platforms promote both individual focus and group interaction.
05
Natural elements like air and rain are integrated into the user experience.

Wahi Ata Noho is designed as a vertical labyrinth, situated in a natural landscape that encourages both reflection and mindfulness. The design focuses on creating an intimate space for individual meditation as well as opportunities for group interaction. Users can move through various platforms, engaging with changing light and shadow, as well as the sounds and scents of the surrounding area.

Conceptual Framework

A continuous void runs through the structure, linking Ranginui (Sky Father) and Papatūānuku (Earth Mother). This feature creates both a symbolic and practical connection to nature. Users can look up and reflect on the sky, feeling a sense of peace, or look down and find grounding from the earth below. The open space helps to connect users with their environment, making it a center for contemplation.



Spatial Organization

The design allows for natural elements—light, air, and rain—to enter the interior, enhancing the sensory experience. This interaction makes the space dynamic and responsive to its surroundings. Areas designated for group meditation allow people to connect without losing their personal focus. The balance between solitude and community is a significant aspect of how the design works.



Materiality

The structure is wrapped in a woven cloak, emphasizing its flowing form with a rhythmic pattern. This fabric is made in partnership with the local community, showcasing a collaborative approach to design. People of all ages contribute their own pieces, which are assembled to create a single cohesive garment for the building. This effort not only ties the structure to its cultural context but also fosters a sense of shared ownership among those involved.



The thoughtful integration of meditation spaces, community participation, and natural elements distinguishes Wahi Ata Noho. The design invites users to explore their surroundings deeply while promoting a sense of togetherness. Each detail contributes to creating a calm environment, where the relationship between nature and personal reflection can flourish.

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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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