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Charred Spruce Cabin Embracing Nature Through Minimalist Meditation

Authors:
Asal Khalili, Rhea Mazgaonkar, Zeenah Mohammed Ali, Fahmida Ahmed
Charred Spruce Cabin Embracing Nature Through Minimalist Meditation
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Charred spruce cladding forms a retreat that harmonizes with the Ozolini Forest, offering a sunken meditation space and upper deck for immersive reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred spruce cladding enhances durability and visual cohesion with the forest.
02
Sunken meditation area promotes deep immersion in nature.
03
Rainwater collection system supports sustainable living.
04
Flexible design adapts to various tree heights and types.
05
Detachable waste tanks streamline maintenance for extended use.

Lift is located in the Ozolini Forest and is designed as a retreat for meditation and reflection. The cabin takes cues from the vertical shape of the Norway Spruce, making it fit well with the forest. Its design enhances sensory experiences, allowing people to connect deeply with nature while also supporting sustainable living practices.

Structural Integration

The cabin features an interior meditation area that is sunken below the main floor, alongside an exterior upper deck. This arrangement encourages users to engage with the forest canopy and feel a part of their surroundings. The design can adapt to various heights, accommodating different tree types without losing its connection to the site.

Sustainable Amenities

Sustainability plays a key role in the cabin’s design. It includes a compostable sawdust water closet and a rainwater collection system, which helps reduce the environmental impact. The design also incorporates detachable waste and drainage tanks for easy maintenance, supporting a lifestyle that respects nature.

Materiality and Aesthetics

Charred spruce clads the exterior of the cabin, giving it both protection and a visual connection to the forest. This choice of material helps the building blend into its environment. Inside, untreated plywood contributes to a warm, welcoming feel while directing attention to a corner window. This window frames views of the forest, enhancing the experience of being surrounded by nature.

Architectural Details

Functional elements, such as a wood stove and a hand-cranked lantern, provide necessary heating and lighting while keeping things simple. Ample storage is integrated beneath the raised floor, making good use of space without compromising on the cabin’s clean look. The careful arrangement of spaces and materials offers a direct relationship between the cabin’s inhabitants and the forest, emphasizing the retreat’s purpose as a place for quiet contemplation.

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

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Competition organisers

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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