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A Minimalist Retreat for Wellness and Reflection

Authors:
Sofya Smirnova, Marianna-janika Gontšar, Oksana Karula, Endri Soomere
A Minimalist Retreat for Wellness and Reflection

Project in-detail

The Kolka Cabin is a contemporary yoga retreat designed with sustainability, community, and mindfulness at its core. Located in a forested setting near Cape Kolka, the structure serves as both a yoga studio and a communal gathering space.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wooden shingles enhance durability while providing aesthetic contrast.
02
Circular layout optimizes space for community engagement and yoga activities.
03
Sustainable materials support environmental goals and reduce ecological footprints.
04
Natural light floods the interior through strategically placed windows in the design.
05
Overhanging roof provides shade and integrates with the surrounding landscape.

<p>The design centers around a circular plan that supports yoga, meditation, and communal gathering, emphasizing movement, unity, and connection. Oriented to engage with its forested setting, the structure responds to both environmental conditions and the rhythms of daily practice. A central yoga studio anchors the plan, oriented to capture natural light and views of the surrounding trees, creating an immersive and contemplative atmosphere.</p><p><strong><em>Material Expression and Environmental Response</em></strong></p><p>Concrete is used strategically to reduce the building’s carbon footprint, while a timber façade enhances thermal performance and allows the structure to visually recede into its wooded context. Recycled materials are used in insulation, and an overhanging roof offers passive solar shading to maintain indoor comfort year-round. Each component is selected to minimize environmental impact and support the longevity of the landscape.</p><p><strong><em>Interior Rhythm and Spatial Contrast</em></strong></p><p>Private rooms feature lower ceilings to foster a sense of retreat and intimacy, while larger communal areas remain open and flexible to accommodate shared use. Layered timber slats on the exterior filter light into the interior, creating a soft visual connection to the outdoors while maintaining privacy. Through its material choices and spatial transitions, the project creates a calm, enduring environment that supports collective wellness and quiet individual reflection.</p><p></p>

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge invites architects and designers to create iconic public sculptures for one of two sites in Saudi Arabia: Abu Hadriyah Road or the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar. Proposals should reflect Saudi identity, culture, and future aspirations.

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge is an international architecture and design competition inviting creatives to shape the future of Saudi Arabia’s public spaces. With a total prize fund of €50,000, the competition calls for sculptural proposals that merge cultural symbolism with innovative design, offering participants a chance to see their concepts brought to life in a rapidly transforming national context.

Organised by Buildner in partnership with the Mujassam Watan Initiative, the challenge focuses on two prominent locations: Abu Hadriyah Road, a major highway and gateway into the Eastern Province, and the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar, a pedestrian-focused waterfront district. Designers must select one site and develop a sculpture that engages with its surroundings—whether addressing the fast-paced dynamism of a transit corridor or creating moments of interaction along a coastal promenade.

Proposals should be bold, site-specific, and rooted in narrative—drawing on themes such as heritage, national identity, transformation, and dialogue. Environmental responsiveness, material durability, and feasibility are strongly encouraged, as winning projects may be selected for actual construction.

Each submission must include four A2 landscape presentation boards, a cover image, and a written project description. The competition is open to professionals and students alike, working individually or in teams of up to four people. No professional license is required.

Registration is open until July 24, 2025, with final submissions due by August 27, 2025. Winners will be announced on October 1, 2025.

Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge

Design iconic urban sculptures for the prestigious Mujassam Watan competition and compete for 50,000 €

50,000 € PRIZE project COMPETITION
Prize 50,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 24 July 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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