The Vale de Moses Yoga Retreat in the stunning remote forests of central Portugal is listed as one of the best retreats in the world by NatGeo UK Traveller, Forbes Magazine, The Guardian and several yoga magazines. Every year the retreat welcomes over 500 people from 60+ countries around the world, all looking to take time to be with themselves in a natural wilderness environment – abundant space to breathe and feel.
For the Vale de Moses Meditation Cabins competition, participants are asked to submit designs for a cabin that could be replicated and placed in any number of spots throughout the retreat.
The cabin’s main purpose is to allow guests to experience treatments and meditation sessions that allow them to reconnect with themselves, and to the surrounding forest, gardens and natural elements. Each cabin should provide sufficient space for one guest and one therapist; providing a world-class healing space that connects each guest to the beauty of nature, while at the same time protecting them from its harsher elements.
In addition to the meditation cabins, participants should also think of how designs could be connected by gardens. Outdoor meditation spaces can be made with the living structures of plants, trees or hedges to frame valley views and provide invitational spaces where people can find and feel that deep connection with planet Earth.
Sustainability is a key factor for all new construction at the retreat.
Since the retreat is already at the limits of its energy capacity, all new buildings must be capable of producing their own energy, and all greywater produced from the sinks must be used to irrigate surrounding gardens. Designs for the new cabins should mean that they fit in visually with the forested mountain valley environment, being either made of natural materials or with modern, energy-efficient materials.
Eligibility
The competition is open to all. Design proposals can be developed individually or by teams. (4 team members maximum)
Timetable
– Early registration: 16 November ~ 10 January 2020 (fee: architects 90 USD; students 70 USD)
– Advance registration: 11 January ~ 21 February (fee: architects: 120 USD; students 100 USD)
– Last registration: 22 February ~ 24 April (fee: architects: 140 USD; students 120 USD)
– Submission deadline: 5 June (11:59pm GMT)
– Announcement of winners: 25 June
Submission
four A2 landscape-oriented presentation boards (not exceed 5MB per file)
Awards & Prize Money
(1) Architects, designers, enthusiasts and companies
– 1st Prize: 3,000 USD
– 2nd Prize: 1,500 USD
– 3rd Prize: 500 USD
(2) Students
– Client’s Favorite Award: 1,000 USD
– BB Student Award: 500 USD
– BB Green Award: 500 USD
– 6 Honorable Mentions
Competition organizer
Bee Breeders
Website
https://beebreeders.com/architecturecompetitions/valedemosescabins
