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Cedar-Clad Retreat Featuring Elevated Design and Seamless Outdoor Integration

Author:
Zorbey Tuncer
Cedar-Clad Retreat Featuring Elevated Design and Seamless Outdoor Integration
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Elevated above the forest floor, a cedar-clad structure harmonizes with its natural surroundings, offering a flexible space for meditation and creative activities that fosters a connection to the environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cedar cladding incorporates local timber, enhancing integration with the natural environment.
02
The elevated design minimizes moisture exposure while allowing airflow underneath the structure.
03
Sliding doors create a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor activity areas.
04
Large, strategically placed windows maximize natural light and views of the surrounding landscape.
05
Prefabricated wall panels improve construction efficiency and thermal performance.

The Wooden Den is an architectural design project situated in a natural clearing, strategically located amid a cluster of trees. The project draws inspiration from traditional rural structures, emphasizing a relationship with the surrounding environment. It serves primarily as a retreat space, intended for meditation, contemplation, and creative workshops. This design prioritizes the connection between the indoor and outdoor environments, facilitating a seamless interaction with nature while enabling various activities.

The structure reflects a commitment to simplicity and functionality. Its open-plan interior design allows flexibility for users to engage in different activities, ranging from meditative practices to artistic endeavors. Sliding doors enable the space to extend, further merging the indoor experience with the outdoor landscape. This adaptability is central to the project's purpose, which underscores both personal exploration and creative expression.

Use of Natural Materials
The Wooden Den employs a distinct material palette that aligns with its environmental context. The primary construction material is cedar wood, used for exterior cladding and interior flooring, promoting warmth and sustainability. The choice of cedar not only enhances aesthetic appeal but also serves functional purposes, such as natural resistance to decay and adverse weather conditions. Additionally, galvanized corrugated steel roofing provides durability, facilitating efficient rainwater drainage while maintaining a lightweight structure. Concrete posts are utilized for the foundation, offering stability while elevating the building to prevent moisture intrusion.

Design Integration with Environment
The architectural design integrates seamlessly with the environment. The project is oriented to optimize natural light penetration, enhancing the user experience throughout different times of the day. Large windows facilitate this influx of light, while overhangs provide necessary shading during peak sun exposure. By considering the site’s existing topography and vegetation, the design team preserved mature trees, contributing to the overall aesthetic and ecological balance of the landscape.

The Wooden Den’s unique design approaches emphasize sustainability and site-specific responsiveness. The elevated foundation allows for better drainage and airflow, reducing humidity-related issues. The use of prefabricated panels for wall construction not only improves efficiency during the assembly process but also enhances thermal performance through integrated insulation.

By offering a space that nurtures creativity and contemplation, The Wooden Den exemplifies an architectural response to contemporary needs for wellness and connection to nature. For a comprehensive understanding of the architectural designs, plans, and sections of this project, readers are encouraged to delve deeper into the project presentation. This exploration will provide insights into the foundational ideas and innovative approaches that distinguish The Wooden Den in the architectural landscape.

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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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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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100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
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