Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Charred Wood Retreat with Elevated Meditation Space

Authors:
Hannes Mettler, Marcos Martín Carrión
Charred Wood Retreat with Elevated Meditation Space
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Constructed with charred wood, this elevated cabin features a meditation altar and tilted walls that optimize natural light, providing a tranquil space dedicated to reflection and personal growth.
5 key facts about this project
01
Built with locally sourced charred wood for durability and aesthetic contrast.
02
Elevated design allows natural elements to flow beneath, preserving the landscape.
03
Meditation altar features tilted walls that maximize natural light for spiritual activities.
04
Three distinct levels create a layered experience for users, enhancing solitude.
05
Accessed via a footbridge, reinforcing a sense of retreat from the outside world.

The Dhyana Cabin is designed to foster meditation and personal reflection. Situated in a landscape with six trees on a gentle slope, it draws inspiration from the Sanskrit word 'Dhyana,' which means uninterrupted concentration. The cabin creates a space that encourages a connection with nature while promoting a quiet environment for introspection and self-discovery.

Architecture Concept
The design reflects the idea that meditation is a journey inward. The cabin is elevated, allowing natural elements to flow beneath, thereby preserving the site’s ecological balance. Its layout enhances solitude and encourages a smooth transition between indoor and outdoor spaces, creating a calming setting for reflection.

Spatial Organization
The cabin is organized into three distinct levels, each serving specific functions that align with meditation practices. The entrance, accessed by a footbridge from the south, acts as a welcoming space between nature and the cabin. This threshold enhances the experience for visitors, blending the interior with the exterior landscape.

The second level features a sacred area that includes an altar for spiritual practices. The walls are tilted to capture natural light, which supports the preparation of flower essences. The altar is designed at a comfortable height, making it easy for users to interact with it during their activities, thus deepening their spiritual experience.

The third level is meant for meditation. It is spacious enough for an instructor and participants. Beginners can lean against the vertical wall space while still focusing on the instructor. The sloping roof guides users into a seated position, encouraging relaxation and enhancing concentration. A small stove is conveniently placed at the back to provide warmth during colder weather.

Design Details
Material choices are important in the cabin's construction. The entrance and meditation areas are built using charred wood from locally sourced Pinus radiata. This material creates a visual contrast with the surrounding nature. In contrast, unburned wood is used in the sacred area. This choice emphasizes its central role within the cabin.

Overall, the thoughtful arrangement of spaces, careful selection of materials, and design features create an environment that supports quiet contemplation and reflection. Each element contributes to a design that engages users while respecting the natural landscape.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
100,000€ Prize / 2026

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

`
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.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
new
The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025
new
Iceland 
Slow Sauna

Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 November 2025
Concrete 
Pavilion

Design a concrete pavilion

Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
new
Pavilion Atlas 2026

Design a story of your country

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 21 January 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

new
The Home of 
Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility OPEN TO ALL
Early bird registration deadline 5 November 2025
The Last 
Nuclear Bomb Memorial

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

Edition #6 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 13 November 2025
new
The Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 20 November 2025
Hospice - 
Home for the 
Terminally ill

Design a safe and supportive space to those struggling with a terminal illness

Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 10,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 26 November 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 26 November 2025
Museum of 
Emotions

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #7 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
Re:Form - 
New Life 
for Old Spaces

Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

Edition #2 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 3 December 2025
The Architect’s 
Stair

Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 15 January 2026
new
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026

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

100,000€ Prize / 2026 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 February 2026

Media, partners and clients

To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy