TINY KIWI MEDITATION CABIN

from Rabie Al ashi | Buildner Portfolio Competition Edition#1 Winner

by buildnercompetitions

JEDDAH BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Year: 2021

Area: 30 sqm

Location: Hauraki Plains, New Zealand

Services Architecture

Role: Lead designer

Project Brief

The Tiny Kiwi Meditation Cabin Competition is part of Bee Breeders’ Small Scale Architecture Appreciation Movement showcasing small projects that contain big ideas. Designers were tasked with proposing an eco-friendly cabin located alongside the Hauraki Plains in New Zealand.

The idea of the cabin is to create a minimalistic object that blends with its surroundings yet maintains a distinctive impression when approaching it.

Visit Website

Morphology

The cabin consists of three parts: a wooden structure, a series of platforms, and an adjustable semi-translucent fabric that covers the cabin. The form of the cabin and the materials used provide full views of the beautiful sky and landscape while creating an inviting, warm, and relaxing place for the user.

Upper Structural Connection

Wood ceiling with skylight openings

Lower Structural Connection

Fabric Skin

Wood Columns

Flower processing bowl

Hidden Storage unit

Interior space

The interior space holds several interesting features that help create the ultimate meditation experience.

There is a uniquely designed fireplace with a slim chimney hanging from the drop beams. Those drop beams hold LED spotlights powered with solar panels to light up the space during night sessions. In addition, the main platform contains a hidden storage underneath for storing any necessary equipment.

Spatial Journey

The rear part of the cabin holds an open terrace with a set of bowls that can be used for flower essence processing.

The fabric skin helps in diffusing sunlight as it enters the interior space, also the height of it can be adjusted using a pulley to control the amount of sunlight entering the space as well as to cover the meditation area once the session is over.

COMPETITION: SHORTLISTED PROPOSAL

WOMEN’S HOUSE

Year: 2021

Area: 200 sqm

Location: Baghere, Senegal

Services Masterplan, Architecture

Role: Concept Development

Project Brief

The Women’s House is part of kaira looro competition showcasing small projects that contain equal access to education, medical care, and employment, as well as a presence in decision making processes, will promote a sustainable economy that benefits society and humanity as a whole..

The objective of the architecture competition is the creation of a “Women’s House” within a symbolic and environmentally friendly structure that is inspired by local traditions. A space in which associations and members of society will be able to meet and discuss the topics of equality and human rights, guaranteeing involvement and emancipation of the female community in favour of the region’s social, economic, and political development.

Concept

The concept for the Women’s House in Baghere, is to create a community within a community. This House will be the safe ground for Baghere’s women, creating a supportive community that will bring the village’s women together and allows them to empower one another through sharing their knowledge, experiences, and to offers them all the resources and materials they need to learn, create, and grow into strong and independent women who are ready to take on different tasks in their society or even start their own projects. The design was inspired by the village’s clustered urban layout and local architectural language.

Program

The design itself is a set of six building units of different functions surrounding a central courtyard with a sunken conversation pit for social gatherings and other events. The house consists of four main primary functions which are: Administration, a Seminar room, a Multipurpose room, and a Workshop in addition to a Dry Latrine. The project has six different entrances to enhance the sense of welcoming into the project from different parts of the village.