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Bamboo Huts Embracing Natural Light with Thatched Roofs Surrounding a Central Lake

Author:
Christopher Weber
Bamboo Huts Embracing Natural Light with Thatched Roofs Surrounding a Central Lake
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With bamboo structures enhanced by thatched roofs and strategically placed skylights, a series of huts encircles a central lake, offering a peaceful retreat designed for relaxation and reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Bamboo structures are elevated on stone block foundations for stability.
02
Each hut features a skylight for natural light and ventilation.
03
Thatched roofs utilize locally sourced vegetable fibers for sustainability.
04
The layout fosters both social interaction and personal retreat.
05
A central lake acts as a natural gathering space for occupants.

INVISIBLE POWER is located in the tranquil Andaman region, designed as a retreat that connects occupants to the natural setting. It offers spaces for reflection and relaxation. The arrangement includes a series of huts arranged around a central lake, which serves both as a gathering place and a serene backdrop for solitude. The overall design promotes a sense of peace, encouraging individuals to disengage from daily distractions.

Design Focus

The primary focus is on creating an environment that enhances awareness and tranquility. By minimizing outside distractions, the design fosters spaces where people can unwind and reflect. Each hut incorporates areas specifically for resting, with skylights that allow natural light to flood the interiors. This thoughtful approach encourages a deep sense of relaxation and a closer connection to nature.

Materials and Methods

Bamboo plays a significant role in the construction. It serves as the main structural element because of its strength and cultural significance. Sustainability is a key consideration, with locally sourced vegetable fibers used for thatched roofs. Clay is utilized in the walls to provide insulation and reduce light infiltration, ensuring comfort within the huts. Stone blocks are employed as foundations for the bamboo stilts, contributing to the stability of the structures.

Spatial Arrangement

Huts are strategically arranged around the central lake, balancing communal and private spaces. This layout invites both social engagement and personal reflection. Each hut creates an atmosphere that is both welcoming and relaxing. The overall look maintains a natural simplicity, designed to be functional while providing a peaceful retreat from the outside world.

Light plays a vital role in shaping the experience. Skylights brighten up the spaces and create a calm environment, enhancing the relationship between the occupants and their surroundings. This thoughtful detail helps to ground the architecture within nature, making the retreat feel both open and intimate.

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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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