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Cave-Like Retreat Featuring Stone and Bamboo for Mindful Meditation

Authors:
Matthew Todd Winget, Cihan Johnson, Hana Karrar
Cave-Like Retreat Featuring Stone and Bamboo for Mindful Meditation
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Combining stone and bamboo in a cave-like structure, the retreat fosters a tranquil environment for meditation, promoting deep reflection through its thoughtfully designed spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Design emphasizes a gradual transition from private space to open areas.
02
Features a cave-like entrance that aids mental preparation for meditation.
03
Incorporates bamboo as a primary element to enhance tranquility.
04
Includes reflecting pools to promote serenity and deepen user experience.
05
Utilizes natural materials to maintain harmony with the surrounding landscape.

The VALE DE MOSES MEDITATION CABINS are located in Portugal and designed to facilitate introspection and calm. The project emphasizes the meditative journey by creating spaces that transition from private to open environments. Careful attention in the design encourages users to engage deeply with both themselves and their natural surroundings.

Design Concept

A private entrance serves as the initial aspect of the cabin, providing a secluded area that includes storage and a sink. This feature creates a cave-like atmosphere, helping users prepare mentally for meditation. The layout shifts focus from outside distractions, making it easier for individuals to concentrate on their inner experience.



Meditation Space

As users move further into the cabin, they encounter a semi-open meditation area. This space utilizes wood and glass, allowing in natural light while promoting a connection to the landscape. The integration of indoor and outdoor experiences enhances the user's interaction with nature during meditation, creating a harmonious environment for reflection.



Outdoor Porch

The cabin culminates in an outdoor porch, which provides a light and airy space for relaxation. This area incorporates bamboo, adding a sense of tranquility. The choice of materials in this section reinforces the themes of mindfulness and connection to nature, enhancing the overall experience for users.



Site Flexibility

The arrangement of the cabins allows for flexibility in their placement. They can be positioned individually across the retreat or clustered together with reflecting pools in between. This design approach ensures each cabin retains its unique identity while promoting a varied experience for users. The thoughtful layout responds to the site's natural features and climate, creating a consistent link with the environment.



Natural materials such as stone at the entrance and bamboo in the outdoor areas highlight the careful balance between function and design. Each element contributes to an atmosphere designed for reflection, allowing users to engage fully with both the space and their surroundings.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

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Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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